Fame Ndongo tightens private college admissions ahead of 2026-27 academic year ⁰

Cameroon is reinforcing oversight of admissions at private higher education institutions ahead of the 2026-27 academic year, as colleges step up recruitment for professional programs.

In an August 21 statement, Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo reminded private higher education institutions (IPES) of the academic requirements for admission to the Brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS), Higher National Diploma (HND) and professional bachelor’s degree programs. The ministry said the rules must be strictly observed and warned that institutions that fail to comply could face sanctions.

The reminder comes just weeks before the new academic year, when institutions typically intensify enrollment and admission campaigns. The ministry aims to ensure that students entering these programs meet the academic standards set by national regulations.

For programs leading to the national BTS and HND examinations, admission is limited to students who hold the baccalaureate, GCE Advanced Level (A/L) or another qualification officially recognized as equivalent. Applicants without one of these credentials are therefore not eligible for admission.

Requirements differ for the professional bachelor’s degree, a two-semester program designed for students who have already completed an initial course of higher education. Applicants must hold a national diploma representing at least two years of postsecondary study, including the BTS, HND, DUT or DEUG, or another recognized equivalent qualification.

By restating these requirements, the ministry is also seeking to regulate admission practices at private institutions as they prepare for the new academic year. Fame Ndongo instructed IPES operators to “strictly comply with this regulatory measure” and warned that violations would expose institutions to sanctions under existing regulations.

The warning is intended in particular to prevent institutions from relaxing admission requirements in ways that conflict with national standards.

The timing comes as higher education institutions prepare for the 2026-27 academic year and the ministry continues to issue decisions on entrance examinations, admissions and academic programs. The government wants the requirements advertised by individual institutions to remain consistent with national rules.

The measure also forms part of broader oversight of private higher education. As professional programs and fields of study become more diverse, compliance with entry requirements remains important for both institutions and students who intend to continue their studies within these programs.

The ministry’s statement also serves as a warning to prospective students and their families ahead of enrollment. Candidates are encouraged to verify not only the programs offered by an institution but also whether they meet the regulatory requirements for admission.

The goal is to prevent students from entering programs without the required prior qualification, which could later create problems when they seek to continue their studies or sit the relevant national examinations.

Source: Sbbc