In a significant boost to educational development in the Lake Chad Basin, the Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Godwin Mutkut, has commissioned the newly constructed and fully equipped St. Joseph Nursery School in Mora, Cameroon. The project forms part of the MNJTF’s Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiative aimed at promoting education and rebuilding community infrastructure in conflict-affected areas.

The newly inaugurated facility features two modern classrooms and a staff room, designed to provide a safe and conducive environment for early childhood learning. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Major General Mutkut emphasized the central role of education in fostering long-term peace and development.

“Education is not just a priority—it is a necessity,” he declared. “We must lead by example and invest in our children’s future to counter the narratives of those who oppose learning. Without education, there can be no progress.”

General Mutkut also highlighted the MNJTF’s broader efforts in implementing quick-impact projects across the Lake Chad region. These initiatives are intended to alleviate the suffering of communities impacted by terrorism and insurgency, while fostering stronger ties between the military and local populations. He called on the Mora community to take full ownership of the new facility and ensure its proper care and maintenance.

In her remarks, the Director of the school, Ms. Justine Suke, expressed profound appreciation to the MNJTF and the African Union for making the project a reality. “This school will lay a solid foundation for the future of children in Mora and neighboring communities

Source PRNigeria

Cameroon faces a major education crisis as a four-day national teachers’ strike begins on April 22nd. The “Ecole Morte” movement, led by the Collective of Teachers’ Organisations of Cameroon, unites more than a dozen unions demanding urgent reforms.

At the heart of their six key demands: the organisation of a national forum to rethink the education system, the upgrading of teachers’ special status, and a collective agreement for private school teachers. The strike follows a warning issued in March.

While the government has opened talks, including a meeting at the Ministry of Public Service on April 17, unions say the steps taken are not enough. Teachers are calling for immediate action to address chronic problems and ensure a stable environment for their profession.

Source: Africa News

The government has acknowledged a 616 million CFA franc debt owed to teachers by the Baccalaureate Office (OBC), stemming from unpaid travel allowances for examiners, anonymizers, and center supervisors, according to a statement released March 26 after discussions with education unions.

The government clarified that the debt results from tax deductions imposed by the Directorate General of Taxes on exam-related payments, which are legally exempt from withholding. Officials stated that “steps have been taken to rectify the situation,” indicating an intent to reimburse the wrongly withheld funds.

This revelation follows a prior admission by the OBC in February 2022 of a 1.4 billion CFA franc debt to teachers from the 2021 exam session. OBC Director Étienne Roger Minkoulou attributed the ongoing financial issues to “a systemic inability to plan ahead,” citing uncertainties in candidate numbers, personnel requirements, and available funding.

Separately, the government addressed outstanding payments to teachers by the General Certificate of Education Board (GCE Board), the anglophone equivalent of the OBC, pledging that disbursements would commence today, March 31, 2025. The statement also recommended a review of assessment procedures for the Baccalaureate and GCE Advanced Level exams to alleviate financial strain.

Source: Sbbc

On February 12, 2025, the Collectif des docteurs/PhD, chômeurs indignés du Cameroun (CDPCIC), a group of unemployed PhD holders, sent a letter to the senior divisional officer for the Mfoundi division, Emmanuel Mariel Djikdent, announcing their intention to stage a peaceful march in Yaoundé on February 20. The protest follows the publication of results from the second phase of a special recruitment program for university lecturers in the country’s newly established public universities in Bertoua (East), Ebolowa (South), and Garoua (North).

The collective, which represents doctorate holders struggling to find employment across Cameroon, voiced strong dissatisfaction over what they describe as “inconsistencies” and “injustices” in the selection process. According to their letter, the march aims to demand an additional recruitment round to include PhD holders who were unfairly excluded from the final selection process.

Allegations of Favoritism and Unfair Selection

In their correspondence, the group raises several concerns regarding recruitment criteria and candidate eligibility. Their primary grievance is the alleged mismatch between some selected candidates’ profiles and the advertised positions, a situation they claim has opened the door to favoritism and a disregard for meritocracy.

They further denounce the inclusion of already-employed civil servants in the recruitment process, which they argue contradicts the initiative’s original intent—to provide opportunities specifically for unemployed PhD holders, as instructed by the President of the Republic.

Another major point of contention is what they see as a blatant injustice: some newly minted PhD holders, who defended their theses only days before the results were announced, were hired, while more experienced doctorate holders with years of teaching and research experience were left out. “These are the pioneers of our public and private universities, some of whom are already advanced in age, and they should have been prioritized for recruitment,” the collective stated.

Adding to their frustration, some advertised positions reportedly disappeared from the final list of recruitments, despite having qualified applicants. For the unemployed PhD holders, this further deepens their disappointment and sense of exclusion after years of academic pursuit. These grievances have compelled the CDPCIC to take action, organizing what they insist will be a “peaceful march” in the capital.

Protests Extend to the Great North

The discontent is not limited to Yaoundé. Another group, the Collectif des titulaires du doctorat/PhD du Grand-Nord, has also announced a peaceful demonstration in Ngaoundéré, the capital of the Adamaoua region, scheduled for February 21, 2025.

Like their counterparts in Mfoundi, these doctorate holders say they are expressing their “profound indignation” over what they view as social injustice and geographical discrimination in the recruitment results. According to them, the selection process failed to implement the “affirmative action” principle meant to favor candidates from underrepresented regions, particularly in Cameroon’s northern regions, where access to opportunities is perceived to be more limited.

On February 4, Séraphin Magloire Fouda, Secretary General of the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of the Central Supervision Commission for the special recruitment program, announced the results of its second phase.

This initiative aims to recruit 150 lecturers for the three newly established public universities, created by presidential decree in January 2022, for the 2024–2025 academic year. Eligible candidates had to be under 45 years old as of October 1, 2024, hold a doctorate or PhD, and reside either in Cameroon or abroad.

Launched in 2023 and set to conclude in 2025, the recruitment process seeks to strengthen the teaching workforce at these universities, which admitted their first students in the 2022–2023 academic year but continue to face a significant faculty shortage.

Source: Business in Cameroon

The Roman Catholic Church has lauded Boh Nchang Europe (BNEu) for constructing a modern toilet facility for the Saint Mary’s Catholic School Nchang to put an end to open defecation among pupils in the school.

The Regent Chief of Nchang, Ta Martin Ettasco who commissioned the toilet project recently and handed it over to the Diocese of Mamfe, commended BNEu for keying into Bishop Abangalo Fondong’s plan to put an end to open defecation in the bush in Catholic schools.

Ta Martin Ettasco said that the toilet project would prevent pupils from contaminating diseases associated with open defecation, and keep them clean and safe, stating that the project was a selfless service to improving the well-being of the current and future of the pupils.

Speaking exclusively to Cameroon Concord News the President of Boh Nchang Europe Dr Tataw-Mbimbeng opined that the provision of toilets in schools and the benefits they inevitably offer cannot be stressed enough.

The much respected Dr Tataw-Mbimbeng furthered that adequate sanitation facilities are fundamental to creating a conducive learning environment, improving students help, and curbing the spread of preventable diseases.

Dr Tataw-Mbimbeng also pointed out that the intervention of BNEu would go a long way to complement the efforts of the government towards the provision of equitable and quality education for the citizenry.

By Soter Agbaw-Ebai

The passing grade for the francophone general baccalaureate in Cameroon was set at 10 out of 20 to ensure “equity” between the francophone and anglophone education systems, Minister of Secondary Education Nalova Lyonga told lawmakers.

“In previous years, students in the francophone subsystem were admitted to exams with an average score below 10, whereas those in the anglophone subsystem had to achieve a score of 10 or higher,” Minister Nalova Lyonga said during a December 4 appearance before the National Assembly’s Finance Committee. This decision was necessary to “harmonize the two subsystems,” she explained.

This harmonization led to a dramatic decline in the 2024 francophone baccalaureate pass rate, which fell to 37%, the lowest in 20 years.

The Ministry of Secondary Education did not provide an official explanation for the poor results, which were released in July. However, teachers interviewed said that unlike in previous years, there were no post-correction deliberations in 2024. These deliberations had previously allowed candidates with scores below 10 to be “rescued” by examination boards. As a result, only candidates who achieved a final average of 10 or higher after the exam grading were declared successful.

This policy is expected to continue. In September, during the start of the school year, Minister Lyonga announced in Bafoussam that there would be no further “rescues” for candidates scoring below an average of 10.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Cameroon’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC) has flagged corruption and the production of fake certificates as two of the most worrying issues plaguing the country’s higher education system.

At a campaign at the University of Yaoundé II to educate and sensitise the university population on the consequences of the production and use of fake certificates in Cameroon and abroad on 5 November 2024, the chairman of CONAC, the Reverend Dr Dieudonné Massi Gams, underscored the dangers of corrupt practices and falsification of certificates. This has become endemic in higher education institutions in the country, actions not compatible with head of state President Paul Biya’s policy to promote good governance as pathways towards economic emergence by 2035.

“The university should be a place to promote academic excellence as recommended by the Head of State, Paul Biya, and not academic forgery,” Massi Gams said at the University of Yaoundé II campaign.

The campaign to fight against fake certificates and corruption in universities for the 2024-25 academic year which started on 25 October 2024 at the University of Yaoundé I, comes against the backdrop of reports of several cases of graduates falsifying certificates to secure employment in both public and private institutions as well as access to post-graduate studies at foreign universities, Massi Gams said.

“We have received several complaints from the ministry of higher education and directly from foreign universities about applicants from Cameroon with falsified transcripts, a practice that tarnishes the image of the country’s higher education system,” he noted.

Students, staff sensitised

The campaign, carried out in collaboration with the ministry of higher education, he said, targets students of higher education institutions where recruitment for various enterprises is focused, as well as the entire university community.

The campaign at both University of Yaoundé I and Yaoundé II was characterised by words of advice from the CONAC team, and messages to students and staff about the implications of using fake certificates. Examples of fake certificates were placed on billboards around the campus.

Anti-corruption billboards bearing the campaign message are planted in strategic corners of the university campuses as well as on stickers stuck on vehicles of staff and some students. The campaign will be extended to all public higher education institutions in the country as well as private universities, CONAC authorities said.

Experts said it was imperative that corruption is fought at universities in Africa in their capacity as institutions of higher education that touch the lives of future leaders, and as large organisations with substantial economic footprints.

Students welcome chance to talk

“The fight against corruption in Africa, in general, and Cameroon, in particular, should start with the training system of our future leaders. That is why the campaign against fake certificates and corruption in higher education institutions in Cameroon is very strategic,” Dr Nick Ngwanyam, director and CEO of the St Louis University Institute of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Cameroon, told University World News.

Students have also saluted the initiative which, they say, helps to bring university authorities out of their silos to openly discuss even taboo subjects like sexual harassment for marks.

“The campaign on campus was very educative and provided a rare opportunity for students and university authorities to discuss even some taboo subjects like sexual harassment,” Victoria Ebage, a law student at the University of Yaoundé II, told University World News.

Cameroon’s 2023 anti-corruption status report released in September 2024 shows that, like in other sectors, bribery and corruption have been rampant in higher education – regarding admitting candidates at public professional institutes. Merit hardly plays a role, which has opened the doors to mediocrity.

The report says that, generally, the State of Cameroon lost over CFA114 billion (approximately US$184 million) to corruption in 2023 which represents an increase of CFA109.4 billion compared to 2022.

‘Favours’ undermine credibility

Other sectors where corruption is on the rise include transport, secondary education, territorial administration, finance, telecommunication, and public works, according to the report. The 2023 report is divided into four parts, with part one focusing on measures to prevent corruption, part two on sanctions, part three on the fight against money-laundering and recovery of assets derived from corruption, and part four, on cooperation – at both local and international levels – in the fight against corruption.

The report says higher education institutions have been plagued by sexual harassment and favours for better grades. The widespread practice has severely undermined the credibility of the merit-based system. Experts have sounded the alarm that such deviant practices could hamstring the broader efforts by the government to foster quality education at higher education level. “It is difficult to obtain quality results in our universities under such circumstances,” Ngwanyam said.

Massi Gams called on students to strive for excellence and uphold integrity. He challenged them to lead in the fight against corruption in the country to guarantee a better future. “As future leaders, you are expected to shine the flag, set the example for a brighter tomorrow,” he said.

In similar message to students, the Rector of the University of Yaoundé I, Professor Remy Magloire Dieudonné Etoua, warned against the adulteration of results transcripts and birth certificates. He urged students and staff to guard against the practice, which is not only punishable by Cameroonian law, but also a deterrent to professional and intellectual development in Cameroon.

Backdoor payments common

“We have had cases of students changing marks on their results transcripts and ages on their birth certificates to gain access into professional schools for employment into the public services. These are criminal acts punishable by law,” Etoua said at the University of Yaoundé I launch.

There has been a public backlash against prevailing corruption with impunity in the country’s higher education system, especially access to higher professional institutions. On 13 August 2024, CamerounWeb reported about backdoor payments of as high as CFA30 million (about US$48,265) to gain admission into the National School of Administration and Magistracy, or ENAM, the higher education institution that trains senior administrators, magistrates and finance experts in the country.

The prevailing corruption in the admission of students to prestigious higher professional schools in the country has eroded public confidence in the higher education system, experts say. “The public has virtually lost confidence in our higher education system because corruption has taken virtually all the professional higher training institutions hostage. The power of the wallet has taken over the place of merit,” Etoua told University World News.

Culled from University World News

France plans to issue around 4,300 visas to Cameroonian students this year, a 10% increase compared to 2023. Thierry Marchand, France’s ambassador to Cameroon, called this “excellent news.”

“Issuing student visas is a very important part of the relationship between France and Cameroon,” he told the press last week.

The French diplomat also said France aims to issue even more visas in 2025. To help with this, embassy teams will be at the “Salon pour la promotion des études en France” (Sapef) event in Yaoundé and Douala this October. Marchand emphasized that Sapef is a chance to give Cameroonian students more information about how to apply for visas.

In addition, the French embassy has announced the opening of Campus France desks at several universities across the country. These desks allow students to start their immigration process right on campus, making it easier and saving them time.

Beyond student visas, Thierry Marchand also announced that the total number of visas issued in 2024 could increase by 30% compared to the previous year. This aligns with his goal, since he arrived in Cameroon at the end of 2022, to make the visa process easier. This task has been given to TLSContact, and he proudly noted that the wait for an appointment is now no longer than 15 days.

Source: Sbbc

On October 1, 2024, the Cameroonian government introduced a new digital platform aimed at verifying the authenticity of diplomas issued by universities, public administrations, and private institutions. The initiative was unveiled at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) of the University of Yaoundé 1, during a ceremony co-chaired by the Minister of Higher Education (Minesup), Jacques Fame Ndongo, and the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform (Minfopra), Joseph Le.

The digital platform is described as an “essential tool” designed to streamline the often lengthy recruitment process within the public sector, which has been slowed by cumbersome diploma certification procedures. “This platform is not only a modern tool for verifying the authenticity of diplomas but also a guarantee of trust for citizens, employers, and especially public institutions,” said Joseph Le.

As per a joint circular from May 8, 2024, Minesup will provide Minfopra with a secure software interface, allowing access to diploma data. In return, Minfopra will be able to submit verification requests digitally, speeding up the process. A secure response confirming the authenticity of the diploma will then be sent back to Minfopra through the platform. According to Minister Le, the platform is “a crucial step” in the government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency in public administration. The initiative is part of a broader modernization effort to improve the management of civil servant integration processes.

The platform aims to address the growing issue of fake diplomas in both the public and private sectors. For example, in June 2024, Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo announced the discovery of 1,312 fake diplomas during the recruitment process for young gendarmes and soldiers for the 2024 fiscal year. Similarly, in 2022, nearly 1,000 gendarmerie students were dismissed due to falsified credentials. This new platform is expected to help decrease such incidents by streamlining document verification.

The platform’s launch follows an agreement signed between Minesup and Minfopra on April 6, 2023. It will be implemented in collaboration with the ministries that issue the most diplomas, including Minesup, the Ministry of Secondary Education (Minesec), the Ministry of Basic Education (Minedub), and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (Minefop). Through this initiative, Minfopra aims to verify diploma authenticity more effectively and significantly reduce the processing times for recruitment and certification.

Source: Business in Cameroon