VZCZCXRO9519
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHYD #0705/01 2301109
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181109Z AUG 09 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0190
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000705 
 
 C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y (ADDED SIPDIS CAPTION) 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/C 
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SOCI ECON PGOV CVIS PHUM CM
SUBJECT: Cameroonian University Students Decry Corruption and 
Neglect 
 
YAOUNDE 00000705  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary. Cameroonian university students are frustrated 
with corruption, political influence, educational neglect, and 
perceived discrimination related to bilingualism within Cameroon's 
education system.  They are generally afraid to discuss their 
problems, especially politics, but have on occasion confronted the 
university system.  The thousands of discontented youth coming out 
of the universities each year may pose potential political 
challenges down the road.  End summary. 
 
More Than an Apple for the Teacher 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) In meetings with Pol/Econ Intern, university students in 
Yaound lamented that corruption within the university system is 
rampant and mirrors the problems of corruption which permeate 
Cameroonian society. University administrators are nominated and 
appointed by President Paul Biya, they said, noting that the system 
falls prey to party favoritism, nepotism, and a general lack of 
efficiency as unqualified individuals are appointed to the 
administration to satisfy political needs. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Students described several layers of corruption, including 
illicit transactions between professors, students, and the 
administration.  Students contend that in order to receive 
instructional materials such as class notes, they are expected to 
pay varying sums of money to professors, who do not report the 
income to the university.  Without cash in hand, a student is not 
permitted to view class material.  According to our contacts, a 
considerable number of professors also accept sexual favors from 
students in exchange for better grades.  In addition, some media 
stories recently exposed universities accused of selling fraudulent 
degrees and diplomas.  One student tried to explain the corruption 
in the educational system by employing the phrase "intellectual 
prostitution," implying that professors are underpaid and thus find 
alternative strategies for obtaining income. 
 
¶4. (SBU)  Many students have reportedly lost faith in meritocracy as 
a driving factor in the Cameroonian educational system.  Instead, 
family and tribal ties are seen as key to success.  One passionate 
contact described Cameroonian youth as "un-studious" and "devoid of 
a work ethic," arguing that family name alone propels students into 
a career, not a diploma.  A prominent university professor suggested 
scrapping the prestigious Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENAM, 
where many bureaucrats and judges get their start) because admission 
is so coupled with political, family, and money ties.  This is valid 
for other professional schools like Ecole Normale (Higher Secondary 
Education Teachers Training School). The university system is 
beginning to implement regulations to decrease discrimination based 
on tribal or family identity, such as assigning students 
identification numbers to use on documents and exams rather than 
full names. 
 
Education: Cameroon's Neglected Child 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) Since Cameroon's independence, and even after educational 
reforms in 1973, the state has politicized the university system by 
insinuating that students should be groomed as potential future 
political candidates, even though the government is currently 
saturated with officials, according to student contacts.  Faculty 
members continue to hold positions as businessmen and politicians in 
addition to their university posts.  Student sources did not 
discredit these professors for having multiple job titles, but some 
voiced concerns that their multiple roles contributed to a decrease 
in the quality of education.  Other students decried professors who 
are hired to teach a subject for which they lack the proper 
qualifications, further diminishing the credibility of the education 
sector.  Contacts pointed to business professors who have impressive 
formal credentials but have never had any practical experience in 
the field and thus are seen as unqualified to teach business 
courses. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  In a group discussion, university students became 
exceedingly emotional when asked whether education stood as one of 
the government's priorities.  One joked that education "was on a 
list, but not the priority list."  Students detailed the many faults 
of the education system, including the fact that the government 
funds the military and the soccer team at the expense of education. 
Education in Cameroon is well financed but much of the money is 
squandered and the sector fails to satisfy the needs for up-to-date 
and accurate resource materials, the students said, pointing out 
that equipment and books in the libraries are so archaic that they 
feel unprepared to compete with their counterparts abroad.  Students 
repeatedly cited the "lack of educational infrastructure."  In 
addition to a dearth of government funding, students were 
disappointed in the perceived absence of future planning by the 
Ministry of Higher Education (Ministhre de l'Enseignement Suprieur 
- MINESUP).  Due to the lack of access to resources, students are 
unable to foresee what opportunities lay ahead since they are not 
fully aware of how or even where to acquire the information they 
seek.  Pupils are excited by the possibility that more universities 
 
YAOUNDE 00000705  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
will be established in the future, but they are deeply skeptical 
that the universities will function well. 
 
Concerns about Bilingual Separatism 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (U) Cameroon has a dual education system.  Families may choose to 
enroll their children in either the Francophone system or Anglophone 
system of education. Officially, all universities in Cameroon are 
bilingual.  Professors can choose to lecture in French or English 
and students can submit work in either language as well.  The only 
exception to this is the University of Buea, where instruction is 
only in English and all work submitted by students must be in 
English.  Although Cameroon is officially both Francophone and 
Anglophone, in reality its two-language educational system results 
in some discrimination against Anglophones.  While the Francophone 
system is dominant, the Anglophone system is beginning to gain in 
popularity, as students reportedly prefer the private Anglophone 
technical schools, which offer faster, more hands-on programs of 
study.  While many students see bilingualism as a major plus on the 
global job market, others told us that because the majority of the 
country is French-speaking, those who attend Anglophone schools and 
only speak English experience employer discrimination upon entering 
the local job market. 
 
Some Positive Steps in Education 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) University students cited a few positive examples of what 
Cameroon is doing to advance in the education sector.  For example, 
the government is allowing more private intuitions to be formed 
around the country, creating more opportunities for students to 
specialize in their choice of study.  Internships, study abroad, 
university partnership, and work-study programs are being 
implemented throughout the country and becoming more accessible to 
help fast track students into their careers.  In 2005, the Central 
African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) put in place the 
License, Masters, Doctorate (LMD) system as a means to standardize 
tertiary education systems.  The University of Yaound I has started 
using student e-cards that serve as a central storage system for 
students to keep their entire collection of notes from past years 
electronically.  MINESUP is making efforts to regularly update its 
website. 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  In the 1990s, universities were a center of political 
activism, but today students are monitored and university 
administrators try to control foreign access to students.  (NOTE: 
The Ambassador's frequent requests to meet with student groups are 
generally frustrated by administrators' insistence that they sit in 
on the meetings as well.  END NOTE)  Students tell us they are 
afraid to make educational demands because of the possible violent 
reaction of the regime.  Nonetheless, there is some student activism 
and some students have formed advocacy groups targeting the 
government and corruption.  In 2005, students protested academic and 
living conditions, leading to clashes with the security services and 
two student deaths.  Several months ago, students at the University 
of Yaound I locked their administrators out of school to 
demonstrate against mismanagement. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶10. (SBU)  The thousands of educated youth coming out of the 
universities every year with poor job prospects and heightened 
cynicism about the political system could pose future political 
challenges.  This situation is also spurring more students to want 
to leave the country.  Post's Consular Section notes that, although 
student visa issuance dropped from 670 in 2007 to 663 in 2008, we 
have seen a steady rise in student visa applicants.  Whether or not 
they want to study in America, university students appreciate 
Mission educational outreach from our EducationUSA Advising Center 
(EAC), our James Baldwin Information Resource Center (JBIRC) and 
other Public Affairs efforts, as well as from our Peace Corps and 
Consular and Pol/Econ Sections.  End Comment. 
 
 
GARVEY