Government assures of quality in higher education

Higher Education Minister, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo has assured members of the National Assembly that the government has resolved to continue improving on the quality of the learning and teaching process in State universities. He was speaking on Friday, December 4, 2015 while responding to questions from Hon. Paul NjiTumasang who raised a series of worries about what he described as unhealthy learning and teaching environment for students and teachers in State universities, during a plenary sitting chaired by House Speaker, CavayeYeguiéDjibril.

Jacques Fame Ndongo detailed measures taken by government to provide a healthy environment in State universities which are experiencing exponential growth in numbers. He cited the creation of new higher education institutions including the Universities of Maroua, Bamenda and annexes of the University of Yaounde II in Ebolowa, the University of Ngaoundere in Garoua as well as other professional institutions such as the Faculties of Health Science of the University of Buea, Higher Teachers Training College in Maroua and Higher Technical Teachers College in Kumba, amongst others, so as to decongest existing universities which he said receive about 20,000 new students yearly.

In terms of infrastructure, the Minister said more than 45000 new places have been created through the construction of lecture halls, amphitheatres, laboratories and libraries. To the Minister of Trade, Luc MagloireMbargaAtangana who also mounted the rostrum at the National Assembly to respond to Hon Joseph Banadzem’s question on why the price of cement has been maintained despite the presence of several investors and the indiscriminate importation of second-hand goods. He said Cimencam and Dangote cement have slightly dropped their prices depending on the quality.

In spite of the presence of three investors, the minister said, the demand still surpasses production. He announced better days ahead especially with the coming of another investor in the sector. As to imported second-hand goods, MbargaAtangana said the sector is being regulated while a text is being studied by an inter-ministerial committee to that effect.

Meanwhile, BasileAtanganaKouna of Water and Energy also took turn to clarify worries of Honourables Pierre Sende and DeffoOumbeSangong on issues concerning his ministry. He announced the possible use of metallic and cement-fabricated poles in due course to replace wooden poles for the transportation of electricity.