National School of Forestry Mbalmayo: Rising concerns after government recruits just 20 of 350 graduates

Graduates of the 70th batch of the National School of Forestry have been left bemused and shocked as only 20 of them out of 350 trainees have been recruited by the state following the completion of their programs.

The National School of Forestry is a public school like any other located in Mbalmayo. Entry into this Institution is through a competitive entrance examination. The school has two main examination centers; Lycée Le Clerc in Yaoundé and École de la Faune in Garoua.

Students of this Institution are trained in three main specialties: Senior Forestry Technicians, Forestry Technicians, and Assistant Forestry Technicians. The training lasts two years at most and trainees also undergo intense paramilitary training. Upon completion of studies, graduates are handed Diplomas in Forestry by the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife.

With the graduation of more than 300 trainees this year, many of the trainees have been left bemused and shocked as only 20 graduates of the previous batch have been posted by the government, which comprised of 10 Senior Forestry Technicians, 5 Forestry Technicians and 5 Assistant Forestry Technicians.

“Where do they expect the remaining 330 graduates to go to? What do they expect them to become? Considering the fact that these are young boys and girls who have received paramilitary training? Should I say the said school is training more of thieves, rascals, and rebels?” Questions a baffled graduate of the Institution.

“Minister Ndongo signed a decree prohibiting non-integrated foresters from trespassing or working anywhere in any State forestry domain,” a graduate revealed to Mimi Mefo Info.

“As I tell you now, I am just one of the thousands of Forestry Technicians that the State has contributed to shatter their dreams and to render them hopeless. After two years of paramilitary training, there’s nothing to show for it,” he said.

Our informant also revealed to us that most of the graduates from this school are roaming jobless and have nothing else to do given their training solely depended on state recruitment.

“Life has been so difficult and unbearable ever since I graduated. I had no other choice rather than returning to the university. I’ve seen very little probability for me to be integrated. Most of my friends can’t even go back to school because of finance, age, or other reasons,” he said.