Abuse of Power: High School principals now have Ps

The practice of High School principals having a Private Secretary (Ps) is gaining ground in major cities in Cameroon.

Now the appointment of a principal in a school now goes with the appointment of a Private Secretary (Ps).

In the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, where the phenomenon has become common, High School principals were quick to impose on their colleagues, a 'gap' of another kind.

In violation of the regulations, the Ps displaces the hierarchical organization in High Schools. "This is a habit which is not part of the appointment agreement or the regulation of the state,” said Souley Daouda, the Inspector General of Services (Igs) of the Department of Secondary Education (MINESEC).

Enjoying the good graces of the head teacher, the critic Ps acts as censors, general supervisors and teachers.

Under these circumstances, the Ps automically becomes the second in command of the school, especially when it has to do with getting an appointment with the principal, it must pass through him first. This is a breach of contract.

"Make no mistake, the Private Secretary of the head of the institution is not there to allow proper management of the institution, let alone administer the affairs of the principal. He is not the one who develops all forms of influence peddling and corruption in school,” noted a teacher.

For Igs of MINESEC, who severely criticized this state of affairs on the eve of the school year, the Ps is "the mediator of the parents in relation to the recruitment file, the mediator of the accountant of the association of parents of students and teachers."