Secondary Education: Focus on improving quality of education

Secondary Education Minister, Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe on November 28, 2015 made firm his ministry’s commitment to improve on the quality of education and life in the student milieu in the secondary education sub-sector. While defending the FCFA 246,068,000,000 draft budget for 2016, Minister Bibehe also underscored that other activities will include improving access to education, enhancing professionalisation and optimising training, while sustaining governance and institutional support.

Appearing for the first time before the Finance and Budget Committee of the National Assembly, Minister Bibehe was rather worried. In effect, the potential demand for education resulting from the universal primary education policy and rapid population growth in the country, he noted, increases pressure at the level of secondary education. Thus, he regretted that resources allocated to education have dropped considerably and for the whole sector, accounting for barely 17 per cent of the State budget.

This is far below estimates with regard to Cameroon’s international commitments, the Minister noted. With the running budget at FCFA 224 billion and investments at FCFA 21 billion, Minister Bibehe disclosed to Finance Committee members that his ministry is compelled to devote insignificant amounts to the numerous structures and fund some activities partially.

He drew their attention to the FCFA 4.3 billion allocated to the three organs in charge of the organization of official examinations: the Office du Baccalauréat du Cameroun, the GCE Board and the Department of Examinations and Certification. To him, the amount remains insufficient for the three organs, considering needs estimated at above FCFA 7 billion.