Solution to State Universities' problems in sight - Ndongo

Higher Education Minister, Chancellor of Academic Orders, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo and State Universities lecturers met October 9 in Yaoundé at the National Advanced School of Engineering to seek for ways of solving human resources and infrastructural development related problems retarding the modernization programme of these universities.

Meeting within the framework of the 15th session of the Permanent Consultation Commission between the Ministry of Higher Education and state universities lecturers, they unanimously agreed that permanent between the two bodies is vital in solving problems faced in state universities today.

Speaking while chairing the opening ceremony, Minister Fame Ndongo underlined that it is important state universities take a step backward to undergo self-evaluation. “It is good to carry out self criticism in order to better move forward.” He added.

The Minister expressed gratitude to state universities lecturers for their enormous sacrifices which they put in despite very limited resources and at times, difficult working environment. He reassured them that the government is living no stone unturned in order to improve their working and living conditions.

In a chat with reporters, Minister Fame Ndongo said “we want to make sure that everything goes on smoothly in state universities. We are seeking for ways of respecting the UNESCO preferential human resources ratio of 1 lecturer to 35 students in arithmetical average because in Cameroon we are faced with the ration of 1 lecturer to 100 students.

The challenge is high because of the ever increasing number of students (about 60000 high school graduates each year) knocking at university doors after their A/L and Bac. The 163 private higher institutions of learning must do the same.

The permanent consultation commission was created to enhance the spirit of dialogue and bring realistic solutions to problems faced by state universities.

Fame Ndongo replies to demand for his resignation Quizzed by reporters if truly he has been dragged to court by students in state universities who demand for his resignation, Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo responded that “It is true and they are free to do so because we are in democracy. They are free to demand for my resignation. That is their opinion but I respect their opinion. But we must not be derailed from facts because they are sacred and commentaries are free. I received a document from the Higher Teachers Training College, Yaoundé that passed through the Rector of the University of Yaoundé I talking of fraud. We can not accept fraud because no one will certainly agree that our nation be build on fraud. Students must respect the universal academic behaviour of honesty and transparency when it comes to exams. That is what I can tell you for now. They have taken the matter to court and we all know that it is independent so we shall be waiting for its verdict which I promise to respect because I am a republican".