The second term of the 2015/2016 academic year kicked off smoothly in the economic capital, Douala, yesterday, January 4, 2016, with classes holding smoothly. In Government Bilingual High School (GBHS) Bonaberi, Lycée d’Akwa and in Lycée Joss, the flag was hoisted, the National Anthem sung and first lessons held.
The reopening is not without difficulties for students yet to register for State examinations after the official deadline of December 20, 2015. Students, especially external candidates for the General Certificate of Education, GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels, BEPC, Probatoire and Baccalaureat, are still struggling to register in examination centres. According to the Principal of Lycée d’Akwa, Mouyinotou Aderonke, epse Elong Kotto, students going in for late registration, except for BEPC, will pay 2,000 FCFA from December 21, 2015 to January 10, 2016; those registering from January 11-31, 2016, will pay 5,000 FCFA. While those that will register from February 1-28, 2016, which is the latest date, will pay 15,000 FCFA as late registration fee.
However, the Vice Principal in charge of Technical Section in GBHS Bonaberi, Margaret Nyamboli, disclosed that it is not possible for students in the section to register late since everything is done online. Her school registered 365 students for both GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level Technical from November 2 to December 18, 2016. Though 25,000 FCFA was demanded for late registration two years back, those who have not registered so far are already preparing for next year.
Though the first day of the term, over 95 per cent teachers and students were present in most schools, with school authorities giving out tips on examination success. In GBHS Bonaberi, the Vice Principal in charge of Francophone Bilingual Classes and Human Resources, Epee Fanny Felicité, disclosed that students will soon write Fifth Sequence examinations since they were told to study at home during the Christmas holidays. As for the scheme of work, teachers are taking it seriously since they are followed up using the logbook,” Epee Fanny added.
