Limbe Vocational Training Centre:

Population protest exorbitant tuition fees

By NwoFuanya in Limbe

ZachariePerevet

The population of Limbe has expressed concerns over the high tuition fees that students are expected to pay for training at the newly constructed Advanced Vocational Training Centre. This was on Tuesday June 21, 2016 when the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, ZachariePerevet visited the school to officially open its doors for admissions to begin.

                During the event that took place on the school campus at Bonadikombo on the outskirts of Limbe, the Technical Adviser No 1 in the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, Comfort Fomede who did the technical presentation of the school disclosed that it was constructed and equipped at the sum of fcfa 21 billion.

                Of this amount, she noted, the sum of fcfa 17 billion came from the Republic of South Korea. The government of Cameroon, for its part contributed the rest in the form of tax exemptions, land for construction and other support.

                The school is expected to train Cameroonians of both sexes in different trades such as motor mechanics, electronics, wiring, welding, hotel and tourism management amongst others.

                Candidates for admission are expected to be holders of CAP or PROBATOIRE or GCE O/L and Lower Sixth attestations in the relevant disciplines. Upon admission they will spend about a year in the school before graduating in the different income generating trades.

                The cost for training ranges from fcfa 450,000 to fcfa 500,000 per student per year.

                ZachariePerevet said the training centre is part of president Biya’s dream of creating jobs for youth and empowering them to be able to take Cameroon to emergence by the year 2035.

                Commentators at the event and those who later learnt of the fees cried foul that fcfa 500,000 is too much for the average Cameroonian. They suggested that the government should subsidize the fees to also open the doors of the school to poor Cameroons.

                The Secretary General to the Limbe City Council, Charles ArreyNkongho who represented the Government Delegate said in his opening remarks that no matter what happens,the training that will be offered should be able to provide daily bread for the trainees upon graduation.

                The event was also witnessed by South West Governor, Bernard OkaliaBilai, Fako SDO Zang III and a cross section of other dignitaries.