Government Offers March 31 Deadline to Pay GCE Markers’ Arrears

The government has resolved to pay money owed to markers of the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations lastest on March 31, 2025, a release signed by Higher Education Minister, Jacques Fame Ndongo, has said.

During a recent dialogue session, government officials and heads of teachers’ trade unions reached one of nine resolutions.

The interministerial committee organised the dialogue to examine and propose solutions to the concerns of teachers’ trade unions.

Prof Fame Ndongo chaired the meeting, and several education stakeholders attended.

Aside from just paying the money to GCE markers, the government has equally asked the management of the GCE Board to review the assessment of exams to ease the financial burden on the state.

“Only the travel allowances for examiners and the expenses for centre and sub-centre heads have not yet been paid. This debt of the Baccalaureate Office amounts to FCFA six hundred and sixteen million, seven hundred and six thousand (616,706,000) and consists of deductions made by the General Directorate of Taxes from vacation pay and other expenses for exam speakers, even though these expenses are exempt from any tax withholding. Steps have been taken to regularise the situation,” read a document Prof Fame Ndongo signed.

“For the arrears of exams under the GCE Board, payment will be effective from Monday, March 31, 2025. The Director of the Cameroon Baccalaureate Office and also the Transition Management Team of the GCE Board, through the Board Chairman, must make proposals to review and improve the financing and financial management mechanisms of their structures and activities. It is also recommended to review the assessment methods for the Baccalaureate and the GCE A-level to ease financial burdens,” the document added.

Fame Ndongo Reveals Measures to Prevent Teachers’ Strike

Among other issues discussed was measures the government has taken to resolve a planned teachers’ strike.

After complaining of poor working conditions and delays in wage payment, teachers had planned to strike on April 21.

“It is noted that the government, on the very high instructions of the president of the republic, has already taken several actions in favour of teachers following previous complaints,” Minister Fame Ndongo wrote.

According to him, the implementation of a new, paperless and simplified integration procedure for teaching staff has reduced processing times to less than three months instead of 24.

Another measure is also the payment of FCFA 185.3 billion to secondary school teachers and 92.1 billion to primary school teachers as of March 2025.

At the meeting, education stakeholders discussed how to reform the education system in Cameroon.

Teachers Request for National Education Forum

The government said the teachers’ trade unions conducted field survey from January 29 to June 13, 2019, on the national education forum.

However, the process stalled after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Therefore, the data collected was compiled in 2023, and the file relating to the organisation of the National Education Forum was transmitted to the Prime Minister’s Office for the highest approval of the President of the Republic,” Minister Fame Ndongo said.

“However, for practical reasons (technical, financial, and logistical constraints), a more appropriate period will be proposed to the highest-level management.”

Another aspect he revealed in the release was a draft law that will better address concerns of teachers’ trade unions.

That is because there have been delays in the payment of subsidies to trade union organisations.

“Although trade unions are subject to the contributory system, subsidies are paid to trade union confederations. Beyond the payment of these subsidies, a draft law on trade unions is being prepared and will better address this concern,” Fame Ndongo said.