Basic Education Sector Conference Sets Roadmap for 2026/2027 School Year in MBONGE Sub-Division.

Mbonge, Cameroon — The Inspectorate of Basic Education for Mbonge Subdivision has held its first Education Sector Conference, bringing together education stakeholders and administrative and security officials to review achievements, challenges and priorities for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The conference, held Friday at the Mbonge Council Hall, was organised under the theme: “Reading, Writing, Arithmetic: A Shared Commitment, A Pledge for Every Pupil.”

The meeting was chaired by the Divisional Officer for Mbonge Sub-Division, Bodeje Otto Williams II and attended by municipal authorities of Mbonge Municipality, security officials, heads of services, chiefs of bureau at the Inspectorate, headteachers and teachers from public, confessional and lay private schools.

Mbonge records improvement in examination performance

Representing the Inspector of Basic Education for Mbonge, Pedagogic Animator No. 1, Blaise Ekankang Etonge, used the occasion to highlight the progress recorded by the subdivision during the 2026 end-of-course examinations. According to figures presented, a total of 3,126 pupils sat the different end-of-course examinations in 2026, comprising 1,739 boys and 1,387 girls. The breakdown showed that 1,652 pupils—925 boys and 727 girls—sat the FSLC examination. At the CEGE level, 1,238 pupils participated, comprising 671 boys and 657 girls, while 236 pupils—143 boys and 93 girls—sat the CETE examination. This represents an increase from the 2,674 pupils recorded in 2025, when 1,512 boys and 1,162 girls participated in the examinations. The increase amounts to 452 pupils, representing approximately 14.45 percent, according to the figures presented at the conference. Etonge noted that Mbonge performed particularly well in the 2026 FSLC, emerging among the leading performers in Meme Division.

Female enrolment raises concern.

While welcoming the increase in the overall number of pupils, the education official expressed concern over the persistent gap between male and female participation. The 2026 figures show that boys accounted for 1,739 candidates, compared with 1,387 girls. He called for greater attention to the education of the girl child, urging stakeholders to ensure that female learners are not left behind.

Teachers urged to make literacy and numeracy a priority.

On the theme of the conference, Etonge called on teachers to translate the message of reading, writing and arithmetic into practical classroom activities. He urged educators to remain committed to their duties and ensure that foundational learning becomes central to teaching and learning throughout the 2026/2027 academic year.

“Let us put on our pedagogic lenses, observe, do our best and shunt deviant behaviours and be true soldiers of education for a better 2026/2027 academic year,” he urged.

He further called on headteachers and teachers to be assiduous, duty-conscious and focused, while reporting cases of absenteeism and abandonment of duty for appropriate sanctions. About 70 percent of schools operational The conference was also told that approximately 70 percent of schools in Mbonge Subdivision are currently operational, although some schools remain affected by insecurity and are located in areas considered high-risk. The education official acknowledged the resilience of teachers and headteachers who have continued working despite the prevailing socio-political crisis. He commended personnel in public, confessional and lay private schools who, despite difficult circumstances, have maintained the teaching-learning process.

Mbonge receives 30 newly recruited teachers.

Addressing the issue of staffing, Etonge disclosed that Mbonge Subdivision received 29 recruited teachers during the previous academic year.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the subdivision has received 30 newly recruited teachers, distributed across 15 public schools, including two assigned to EPF Mbonge. Despite the recruitment, he stressed that the subdivision still requires additional teachers to meet its growing educational needs. Inspectorate outlines major challenges Several challenges affecting the effective functioning of schools were highlighted during the conference. They include: Late supply of didactic materials to public primary schools; Delayed provision of running credit to public primary schools; Insufficient subvention to confessional and lay private schools; Absenteeism and abandonment of duty by some teachers and headteachers; Late submission of periodic administrative documents; Challenges relating to respect for the administrative hierarchy; Non-compliance by some private and confessional schools with state regulations; Difficulties in registering pupils for end-of-course examinations due to lack of birth certificates; and Damaged or inadequate school infrastructure.

A call for collaboration between eduction education stakeholders and the communities

The representative of the inspector also called for stronger collaboration between schools, communities, parents, administrative authorities and other stakeholders to address the challenges. He also urged PTAs, community leaders and headteachers to respect the established administrative channels by addressing issues within the competence of the Inspectorate at that level before referring them to higher authorities.

Call for stronger commitment

As the 2026/2027 academic year begins, the conference served as a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the state of basic education in Mbonge and identify practical measures for improvement.

The emphasis on reading, writing and arithmetic is expected to guide classroom activities and strengthen foundational learning among pupils across the subdivision.

The first Education Sector Conference therefore marks a renewed commitment by education stakeholders in Mbonge to improve learning outcomes, strengthen discipline among education personnel and create a more effective learning environment for children. The gathering ended with a call for all stakeholders to work collectively towards a stronger and more inclusive basic education system in Mbonge Subdivision.