Cameroon and UNICEF have joined forces in a significant partnership aimed at accelerating the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in elementary and secondary schools. The collaboration was formalized through an agreement signed between Cameroon’s Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) – a national fund for municipalities – and the United Nations agency.
The ambitious $4.8 million project has the potential to impact the lives of 100,000 students, 1,000 teachers, and 15 schools. Its primary objectives include fostering a culture of digital literacy and entrepreneurship in primary and secondary schools, narrowing the digital gap among children, and enhancing the quality and accessibility of education in vulnerable communities.
As part of the initiative, targeted communities will be equipped with essential gadgets to facilitate access to digital learning platforms. The Education and Technology for Every Child project is currently being piloted in specific municipalities, including Bertoua I, Bertoua II, Garoua Boulai, Mandjou, and Ngoura.
Philippe Camille Akoa, the general manager of FEICOM, expressed that the partnership would encompass various efforts, including the construction and renovation of schools in the involved municipalities. This collaborative effort reflects the government of Cameroon’s broader vision to transform the nation into a digital upper-middle-income economy by the year 2035. Through this forward-thinking project, they seek to equip the younger generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
