Cameroon: Fight Against Fake Diplomas and Abuse in Universities
Cameroon has launched a national campaign to eradicate the proliferation of fake diplomas in higher education institutions. This initiative, orchestrated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), involves all universities, whether public or private, in a vast awareness-raising operation on the dangers of fake diplomas. The campaign also targets grade-buying practices and cases of harassment particularly affecting female students.
Fake Diplomas and Influence Networks
Student testimonies reveal the existence of organized networks involved in issuing fake diplomas. David Makit, a student in public works, mentions the Bonas neighborhood, near the University of Yaoundé 1, as a place where individuals produce fraudulent diplomas with official stamps, making them difficult to detect.
Buying Notes and Harassing Female Students
The phenomenon of buying notes, linked to harassment, is also widespread on some campuses. Rosine Yango Mbessa, a history student at the University of Yaoundé 1, testifies to situations where students offer money or are pressured to obtain good grades. In October, a lecturer at the University of Douala was suspended for selling notes for between 20,000 and 40,000 CFA francs, and for acts of harassment.
Testimonies of Victims of Pressure and Injustice
The stories of female students testify to the scale of the phenomenon. Catherine Mbarga, a Master 2 student at the University of Yaoundé 1, recounts the story of a fellow student who was the victim of blackmail: a teacher allegedly lowered her grade from 77/100 to zero, demanding relationships in exchange for a fair grade. This case illustrates a worrying institutional problem within several universities in the country.
Conclusion
Cameroon is engaged in an unprecedented fight against fake diplomas and abusive practices in the university environment. This campaign, which mobilizes educational institutions and CONAC, aims to clean up the sector, while strengthening the protection of students against abuses.
