In Cameroon, school fees are raising serious questions in society. Indeed, the Cameroon Teachers’ Union for Africa (Seca) highlights various expenses collected by public schools, including computer fees, medical records and solidarity funds. These financial practices raise concerns about the transparency of their use, thus fueling the anxiety of parents.
Through the stories of people like Aurélie, a single mother, or Essomba, a father, we become aware of the doubts surrounding the real impact of these fees on children’s education. Despite their financial contributions, these parents question the effectiveness of the services and equipment provided by schools. Indeed, the question of the traceability of funds and the justification of expenses legitimately arises.
In the testimony of Jean Mballa, head of a school, we see a partial answer to these concerns. According to him, the fees are used to maintain computer equipment and renovate school infrastructure. However, persistent criticisms by Seca reveal a certain opacity in the management of these resources, thus fueling the feeling of incomprehension and mistrust among parents.
The denunciation made by Seca highlights eight points of expenditure imposed on parents, representing substantial amounts in CFA francs. This observation reinforces the idea that the school, a place of learning and education, tends to become a shopping center where questionable financial practices reign. It is therefore crucial to restore trust between education stakeholders, by ensuring total transparency in the use of school fees payable.
In conclusion, the issue of school fees in Cameroon raises major issues in terms of equity, transparency and quality of education. It is imperative to establish control and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective and responsible management of these resources. Collaboration between different stakeholders, parents, teachers and local authorities, is essential to guarantee access to quality education for all children, without discrimination or financial opacity.