Sir Humphrey Ekema Monono, registrar of the Cameroon General Certificate of Education (GCE) Board has said that the 2015 session of the GCE exams will begin on May 5 with practicals, noting that all preparations have been done.

The registrar dismissed claims from detractors that the on-going payment of the balance of out-of-station allowance for 2014 examiners is intended to pre-empt a strike action and that examiners could be planning to mar the smooth running of this year’s exams.

Sir Ekema Monono was responded, last Tuesday April 14, to questions from The Recorder concerning this year’s GCE Exams, in his office in Buea.

Asked if the on-going payment of 2014 examiners’ dues was to pre-empt any possible strike action by teachers, Sir Ekema Monono, replied, “The 2014 examiners’ out -of -station allowance that we owed was their deserved right.

And we thank Government for having made the money available at the right time. Teachers needed it as well as other examiners.

“But this was not to embark on any strike action because I don’t think my teachers would be planning a strike action against the GCE Board. They trust and believe their Registrar and for now what binds us is the truth. Money was owed them and the money has been paid; if they were preparing for that, then it is time they let go such as an idea; it is not necessary because the Board is there to cater for their interests.”

The Registrar said the number of candidates for the exams is always on the increase. “This year we have more than 180,000 candidates an increase from 164,789 candidates who sat for the exams last year,” he said.

The Registrar regretted that some dishonest people are reportedly trading fake question papers, claiming that there are this year’s leaked examination questions.

“Candidates and parents should be warned not to be deceived by detractors who purport to have the GCE question papers; so those circulating such papers should be discouraged by both parents and students,” he appealed, emphasizing, “Question papers of the GCE will only reach candidates in examination rooms, not through any other source.”

Sir Ekema Monono disclosed that one major challenge the GCE Board is facing now is the non-issuance of last year’s examination certificates.

“Certificates for 2014 haven’t been printed because we had a hitch with managerial problem of contract award procedure. But I am certain that the problem will soon be resolved and our candidates will be served appropriately.”