Transparency International Cameroon launched phase II of the campaign last Friday in Yaounde.

Transparency International Cameroon last Friday February 8 in Yaounde officially presented the second phase of its campaign “It’s Time to Wake Up” with focus on communicational tools to help the public and media practitioners wake-up and fight against corruption which is that cankerworm which has a stronghold on the free education policy of the country at the basic education level.  

The Vice-President of Transparency International Cameroon, Njoh Manga Bell said the campaign “It’s Time to Wake-Up” is an international crusade spearheaded by Transparency International and is already taking place in 17 different countries under various domains. Njoh Manga Bell said in Cameroon, they decided to choose the education domain to reinforce the fight against corruption which started last year after the 2011 campaign report revealed transparency and integrity deficits in primary education in Cameroon. According to the 2011 report, it was revealed that in 87.5 per cent cases, minimum package arrived late, 78 per cent, it was not sufficient enough while 70 per cent of schools judged it to be unsatisfactory. It was also revealed that 74 per cent of homes still consider Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) fees as compulsory.

While noting that a 2001 Presidential decree clearly indicated that PTA fees are to be paid on a voluntary basis, Njoh Manga Bell said there was need to launch a campaign to sensitise actors in the educational domain on the PTA fees issue which is still a barrier to the free education of certain children in Cameroon. As such, in April 2012, Transparency International Cameroon launched a vast campaign in the South, South-West, East and Centre Regions of the country to sensitise actors in the education domain as well as parents.

This time around the organisation is reinforcing the campaign with focus on communication tools (stickers, key holders, posters etc) for everybody to wake-up and stand against those corruption practices that hinder some kids from going to school. The representative of the Ministry of Basic Education said since 2004, the Ministry is up and against corrupt practices in the sector.