By Prince Mundi Tanda, Guest Writer
The education sector has been rated as the most corrupt sector in Cameroon, grabbing the crown of shame from State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure. This is according to the recently released 2023 Anti-Corruption Status Report by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC).
The report notes a growing corruption crisis, with 7,548 complaints recorded in 2023, representing a 6.48% rise compared to 7,061 cases in 2022.
Presenting the report, CONAC Chairman, Rev. Dr. Dieudonné Massi Gams revealed that within one year, the amount of money Cameroon lost to corruption has increased from over four billion in 2022 to over 114 billion FCFA in 2023. The CONAC report was presented to stakeholders in Yaounde on September 19, 2024.
The CONAC boss disclosed that the education sector has now become the epicenter of corruption in the country. Massi Gams said the anti-graft institution had a majority of denunciations of corruption mostly from whistleblowers in the education sector. The whistleblowers, the institution said, cited unwarranted registration levies, collection of money for exams, admission bribes, embezzlement of teachers’ allowances and the misuse of Parent Teacher Association,PTA, funds. The introduction of unofficial class sections like Forms 1D to 1F were also cited as a tactic for administrators to illegally generate extra revenue.
A school teacher, Ngong Patrick, confirmed these unethical practices, particularly the exploitation of PTA fees. “What was supposed to improve school infrastructure has now turned into a business for administrators,” he lamented.
This misuse of PTA funds has led to growing public outrage, with many calling for the levy to either be abolished or subjected to stricter oversight. Parents have expressed their frustration over the deepening corruption.
One Yaounde-based parent, Chi Bruno, recounted how he was asked to pay a bribe of 100,000 FCFA for his child’s admission, along with additional fees for a desk and school construction in a Government school.
“That’s why I opted for a private school,” Bruno explained, highlighting the growing loss of trust in the public education system.
Corruption in Higher Education
The problem is not limited to primary and secondary schools. Bribery has become rampant in higher education, especially in admissions and examinations, observers say. Students often have to pay to secure places in prestigious institutions or pass national exams, while some universities have been plagued by reports of students offering money or sexual favors for better grades. This widespread practice has severely undermined the credibility of the merit-based system.
The issuance of fake certificates has further eroded public confidence in the education system. Many individuals have obtained diplomas without attending classes or acquiring the necessary skills, which has led to underqualified candidates flooding the job market.
Employers like Mbah Roger, a human resources expert, noted the difficulty in identifying genuinely qualified candidates. “It’s increasingly hard to tell who has earned their qualifications,” he said.
The broader fight against Corruption
While the education sector has taken the spotlight, the police force was ranked as the second most corrupt sector in the country, according to the 2023 CONAC report.
The report also highlighted efforts made by the government to curb corruption. In 2023, 18 state employees faced sanctions ranging from warnings to dismissals, while certain private companies were banned from public contracts. Some logging firms were slammed with two-year suspensions. Students involved in exam fraud at the Universities of Buea and Douala were penalized as well, the report revealed.
Despite the increase in corruption, CONAC enjoyed support from the public. “The population is increasing coming to CONAC to denounce corrupt practices. This collaboration is what is needed by CONAC to succeed,” Massi Gams said.
However, he also expressed concerns over the declining involvement of the private sector and civil society in the anti-corruption drive. Despite receiving 84 external contributions, participation from key groups like religious authorities was noticeably lower, the CONAC chair regretted.
Looking ahead, CONAC called for a broader anti-corruption campaign, with a focus on rural areas where many cases go unreported. Massi Gams urged citizens to remain vigilant and demand accountability and transparency in public affairs.
A persistent problem
Cameroon has long struggled with corruption across various sectors. In the 2022 report, the Ministry of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure (MINDCAF), was ranked the most corrupt, with 20.3% of all complaints. The Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reform (MINFOPRA), followed closely with 16.8%, and the Ministry of Finance (MINFI) ranked third at 13.3%. These rankings underline the persistent nature of corruption in the country.
The presentation of the 2023 report attracted a wide audience, including state officials, civil society members, diplomats, and the media, signaling continued public interest in the fight against corruption.
While some progress has been made, the education sector’s new ranking as the most corrupt signals that much more remains to be done to restore trust in Cameroon’s institutions.
As the country grapples with this deep-rooted corruption issues, CONAC’s call for sustained vigilance serves as a reminder that the battle against societal ill is far from over.
*Prince Mundi Tanda is a journalist, news presenter and reporter with Vision 4 television in Yaounde.
This report was first published in NewsWatch newspaper No 187 of Monday, October 07, 2024.
