Visionary Reports

A constructive dialogue was held between the Minister of Secondary Education and private education stakeholders in Douala on September 1.

The private secondary education sector in the Littoral region faces numerous challenges, including illegal schools, corruption, and non-compliance with regulations. Despite contributing significantly to the region’s outstanding results, with 390 out of 598 secondary schools being privately owned, disorder in the sector affects the entire education system.Ahead of the school reopening on September 8, the Minister of Secondary Education Prof. Pauline Nalova Lyonga met with private education stakeholders in Douala on September 1 to discuss pressing issues and ensure order in the sector. She emphasized that the sector’s conflicting image – being crucial to education yet plagued by corruption – must be addressed.”You cannot be a vital sector of education and simultaneously the most corrupt,” Prof. Lyonga stated, urging private operators to respect the law. She warned that defaulters would face consequences, and schools without necessary documents would remain closed.

The minister also highlighted the importance of unique student identification, stressing it was not for revenue tracking but to identify students. Stakeholders raised concerns about authorization bottlenecks, persistent illegal schools, and regulatory non-compliance.Muma John, National Vice President of Private Education Promoters Trade Union, appreciated the minister’s willingness to listen and promised to follow up on her commitments. Littoral Regional Delegate of Secondary Education Madam Tamar Eboa called for calm, noting that 73 illegal schools had been identified, with only three regularizing their situation. Meanwhile the governor of the Littoral region Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua promised to ensure that all the illegal schools remain sealed until they comply with the law.Key takeaways included the need for unique student identification and clean schools. The minister’s engagement with private stakeholders aims to improve the sector.

By Gina Esong