Viable Learning Pathways Back into Schooling for Out-of-School Youths in Cameroon

Abstract

The share of youth not in education, employment or training (NEET) is the proportion of young people who are not in education, employment or training among the population of the corresponding age group: youth aged 15–24, people aged 15–29, or both age groups. The data show an increasing proportion of Cameroonian youth NEET. Incomplete schooling is likely to be one of the causes of their status. According to the Census and Economic Information Centre (CEIC) statistics, the share of youth NEET has been steadily increasing among female youth and fluctuating among male youth. There are about three times more female than male youth NEET. This report therefore explores the challenge of out-of-school children and youths in Cameroon. Various attempts have been made in the past to address the challenge but have not had significant impact on improving the situation. This report therefore proposes the establishment of a virtual open school — Cameroon National Open School (CAMNOS) — that can provide a virtual backbone for both online and blended provision, with the latter making use of existing day schools as after-hours support centres.