Bui PTAs budget over 300MFCFA

From Willibroad B. Nformi in Kumbo

   Barely a month into the 2012/2013 academic year, the Parent-Teacher Association, PTA in Bui Division have been projected to chip in over 302,963,665frsCFA as its contribution in the functioning of some 45 secondary schools in the area.

   “We acknowledge the impressive efforts of the PTA with a budget of 302, 963, 665 FRS approved already for 45schools. We note with general satisfaction the work of the PTAs with their pedagogic inputs to the schools”.

      These statistics were revealed in Kumbo recently by the divisional delegate of secondary education, William Asah Mbenkum in a keynote address during the Divisional Sector Conference that brought together the stakeholders in the sector.

      Despite the enormous contributions by the PTAs in the secondary education sector, the outfit was, however, cautioned to operate within the ambit of regulatory texts.

    “I request all to strictly abide by the provisions of circular No 07/08/MINSEC/CAB of 25/02/2008 on the running of the PTA. I request all principals who continue to meddle with PTA funds to desist from this practice immediately”, the delegate warned.

     The sector conference, it was made clear, was intended to evaluate the last academic year and to prepare for the 2012/2013 school year.

      The school year, it was disclosed, was attended by 29336 students, taught by 523 state employed teachers including 49 recently recruited amongst the 25000 youths ordered by the Head of State. The PTA employed 644 teachers for state schools while denominational and lay private institutions recruited 328 teachers giving a teacher-student ratio of 1to 20.

       The delegate, however, deplored the inhuman treatment given some teachers especially in the private sector in terms of monthly wages and working conditions. He appealed for improvement on working conditions.

       Concerning end-of-course examinations, it was made clear that 7795 candidates sat with 4640 passing registering a percentage pass of 59,8. This percentage earned Bui Division the first position in the North West.

      The 2012/2013 academic year, it should be noted, will function on the theme: “A pedagogy of excellence at the service of professionalisation of education for an emerging Cameroon”.

    Launching the school year in the division, the  SDO, Bernard Ndodemesape Ngone lauded the excellent performances at end-of-course examinations at various levels. He congratulated and encouraged all the stakeholders to continue in their drive for excellence so as to maintain the division’s leading position in the region.

The SDO cautioned PTAs on their fund management. “PTA funds are public funds and should be properly managed in accordance with the text in force”, the SDO said.