By David Atangana
The Association of North West Private Higher Education Institutions (ANOWEPHEI) has appealed to the government for a three-year transitional period before the implementation of the recent suspension of HND programs in medical and biomedical sciences.
During a press conference held in Bamenda on Wednesday, August 28, ANOWEPHEI addressed public concerns regarding the status of HND programs offered by both public and private institutions in Cameroon.
This comes in response to a joint declaration by the Ministers of Higher Education and Public Health, which halted the admission of HND students in medical and biomedical sciences for the upcoming academic year.
The suspension has particularly impacted private higher education institutions that had already begun enrolling students for the upcoming academic year.
The suspension is pending the development of a modified program, which is expected to grant greater oversight to the Ministry of Public Health in the training of medical professionals.
ANOWEPHEI is advocating for a three-year period of grace to allow private institutions to adapt to these changes.
“In line with our appeal letter dated August 22, 2024, addressed to MINESUP and MINSANTE and copied to the Prime Minister, ANOWEPHEI pleads that the ministries consider granting a three-year transitional period before implementing the resolutions of Final Press Release Nº D13-255/MINESUP/MINSANTE, of August 16, 2024,” stated Njoya Basile, Vice President of ANOWEPHEI.
This transitional period, they argue, would give private institutions time to reorganize and prepare for the new requirements.
ANOWEPHEI also called for revised admission criteria and adjusted curricula to be established early within this period to ensure that institutions can make the necessary adjustments.
During the press conference, ANOWEPHEI also refuted widespread rumors that the HND is invalid.
“HND is valid both nationally and internationally,” they emphasized.
It should be noted that the recent joint ministerial decision does not affect HND programs in other fields of study.
