Scholars decry ‘marginalisation’ of Anglophones in HTTTC Bamenda

Stakeholders in the educational milieu have observed that, the number of Francophone students at the Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College, Bamenda by far out-weighs the number of Anglophone students in some strategic departments.

The observation was made recently at a workshop that brought together the German-owned Non Governmental Organization, NGO, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the Cameroon Teachers’ Trade Union, CATTU, Presbyterian Education Authority Teachers’ Trade Union, PEATTU and the Parents Teachers Association, PTA. The workshop organisers blamed the limited access of Anglophone students to the institution on unfavorable admission procedures.

According to statistics unveiled at the workshop, the mechanical manufacturing department is 100% Francophones and 0% for Anglophones while in the air conditioning and refrigeration department, the admission percentage is 83% for Francophones as against 17% for Anglophones.

The fundamental computer science department has 70% Francophones as against 30% Anglophones while the building and public works department has 67% Francophones and 33% Anglophones.

CATTU executive secretary general, Wilfred Tassang, said he fears that if the problems encountered by Anglophones in the technical education domain is not treated with urgent attention, the much propagated vision 2035 would be a mirage.

The workshop which held under the theme, “technical education; gateway to job creation and employment opportunity” wrapped up with participants taking far-reaching resolutions expected to chart the way forward for a meaningful technical education for Anglophone Cameroonians.