By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Cameroonians have expressed enthusiasm over the Ministry of Secondary Education’s (MINESEC) recent announcement of a unique student registration number, set to be implemented in the 2024/2025 academic year.
Speaking to News-lens, residents of Yaoundé praised the initiative, highlighting its potential to enhance transparency and accountability within the education sector.
Eve Marie, a concerned parent, expressed her delight, stating, “I am particularly pleased with the introduction of the unique student registration number. This move will undoubtedly bring much-needed order to our education system.”
Bertrand, a local trader, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of student monitoring and the eradication of fraudulent documents. “This is a positive step,” he said. “It will help curb the circulation of fake documents.”
Taxi drivers also joined the chorus of approval, commending the ministry for recent positive changes. One driver noted, “Since the current minister took office, we’ve seen significant improvements at MINESEC. This new registration system is another step in the right direction.”
The unique student registration number is expected to safeguard parents’ investments in their children’s education by ensuring traceability of student payments.
MINESEC Aims To Ensure Transparency, Verify Diploma Authenticity
The unique number was launched on August 1 in Douala after a meeting. Among other things, the initiative aims to enhance transparency and verify the authenticity of certificates issued at the end of each academic year.
During the meeting, the Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga, stressed the need to modernize education to safeguard Cameroonian schools through this system.
“Digitalization is an unavoidable reality, and MINESEC must lead the way. This is why we opted for the Unique Registration Number platform,” she stated.
Professor Fabien Nkot, Secretary-General of MINESEC, added, “The electronic payment system established by MINESEC is on the right track. After six years of evaluation, we have decided to introduce the unique student registration number to guarantee the security and traceability of students, whether in the public or private sector. Students will retain this number throughout their school career.”
MINESEC officials explained that the registration number will accompany students throughout their education. Payments can be made to the preferred operator using a mobile phone or ATM.
Beyond ensuring the dematerialization and security of electronic payments, the unique identification number will also bolster the credibility of diploma awards and the legality of enrollments at all levels.
This measure is expected to eliminate age falsification, report card forgery, and drug use on school premises. Students transferring between schools will be monitored, and their files will comprehensively record their academic journey.
Since Professor Nalova’s appointment, MINESEC has been committed to creating a safe learning environment. The Ministry initiated the digitalization of exam and school fee payments in partnership with mobile phone operators and money transfer companies at the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year.
This innovation addressed irregularities in the payment and management of financial resources in public schools. Consequently, contributions and exam fees were channeled through MINESEC-approved partners (CAMPOST, Express Union, MTN Cameroon, and Orange Cameroon) and deposited in a bank account at Afriland First Bank.
Beyond transparency, traceability, and security in financial management, the project has improved real-time access to student enrollments, increased government revenue, and controlled student enrollment among other things.
Despite these achievements, challenges such as difficulties in using digital platforms, financial officer discharge requirements, cash payment preferences among financial agents, and non-compliance by some principals have been identified.
To address these issues and further enhance transparency, MINESEC has introduced the unique student registration number.
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