Actualités of Saturday, 24 August 2013

Source: Cameroon Tribune

Tackling Private Education Problems

Stakeholders agreed on measures to better their functioning for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Education stakeholders in the Littoral have assessed the functioning of private educational institutions and their relationships with the National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF) and health agents. The evaluation was made by the Regional Committee for Private Secondary Education in the Littoral Region at a workshop in Douala, Bonanjo.

Presided at by the Governor Joseph Beti Assomo, the workshop enumerated some flaws witnessed during the just-ended 2012-2013 academic year. They include the persistence of clandestine private schools, irregular salaries and unhealthy learning/teaching environment. The major complain is the failure to subscribe teachers to NSIF for them to later earn retirement benefits. The Governor appreciated their strides, while urging them not to relent in their efforts to eradicate the phenomenon.

Secondary Education Regional Delegate, Guillaume Hont, emphasised that the closure of clandestine secondary schools will be more serious. Promoters of this sector were urged to pay their workers on time and to ensure that all employees subscribe to the NSIF. They were equally recommended to grant loans to their workers.

Other aspects highlighted were for private secondary schools to work hand-in-hand with health and sanitary agents in ensuring a clean and healthy environment for students; as well as the implementation of the workshop's resolutions.