The emergency relief, ordered by President Paul Biya, is set to assist nearly 7,000 students in securing their official exam registrations under the Department of Examinations and Certification and the Cameroon Baccalaureate Office.
Thousands of students in the flood-stricken Mayo-Danay division in the far north region have been granted a new lease on their academic future following the government’s allocation of over 95 million CFA francs. This emergency relief, ordered by President Paul Biya, is set to assist nearly 7,000 students in securing their official exam registrations under the Department of Examinations and Certification, DEC, and the Cameroon Baccalaureate Office, OBC. The announcement, made via videoconference by the Minister of Secondary Education from Yagoua’s Classical High School, was met with emotional gratitude from school officials, parents, and students alike. The funds aim to address the financial challenges that had threatened to derail the education of those affected by the devastating floods.
According to reports, in the 103 impacted schools, educators and administrators had been grappling with an increasing dropout rate, as many families struggled to afford exam registration fees. The situation had become so dire that some students had entirely abandoned their studies. With the presidential intervention, however, hope has been restored. Gabriel Danzabé, the Divisional Delegate for Secondary Education in Mayo-Danay, described the relief as a vital step toward normalizing academic activities in the region. He emphasized that the financial aid would ensure students are properly registered and can now focus on their preparations.
School principals and teachers welcomed the initiative, noting that many students had been at risk of missing their exams due to financial constraints. A principal from one of the affected technical high schools highlighted how the aid has eased the burden on families and provided much-needed motivation for students. The impact of the floods had been particularly devastating, not just in displacing families but also in disrupting education. Emmanuel Gorsou, a spokesperson for the Presidents of the School Councils, explained how students had been forced to drop out as they struggled with displacement and economic hardship. The newly allocated funds, he said, offer a second chance for these students to reclaim their academic aspirations. Beyond the immediate financial relief, this initiative signals the government’s commitment to maintaining access to education even in times of crisis.
