President Paul Biya made the announcement in his address to the youths on 10 February 2024.
As tradition would have it, President Paul Biya addressed his young compatriots on the eve of the 58th edition of the Youth Day. In his usual calm and soothing voice, the father of the nation highlighted various spheres in which government was working to improve the conditions of the country’s youth, often referred to as the future. In education, he noted that a bulk of the state budget has for years now been swallowed by this sector, showing the importance attached to it. In pursuance to progress in professional teaching President Paul Biya mentioned that “I have instructed the Government to set up a competitive skills development mechanism” which seeks to build the capacity of stakeholders in the social economy and the informal sector where many young people operate.
The President of the republic furthered that “I have also prescribed the reduction of school fees in vocational training centres of excellence from 500 thousand CFA francs to 50 thousand CFA francs to enable the greatest number of youths to access quality training.” This move which has been applauded by many a youth will go a long way to open doors which before now were inaccessible to many young people faced with financial hardship. The huge slash on tuition fees for vocational training centres will see an increase in the number of professionals in various domains, armed with the appropriate tools and ready to start their own business ventures as encouraged by the Head of state. He stressed that “self-employment is one of the best ways to achieve socio-professional integration, as neither the State nor the private sector can absorb the growing number of young people entering the labour market each year”
And to whom much is given, a lot more is expected as President Biya cautioned youths to fully embrace the civic and moral values that are the foundation of social life without which they would be unable to leverage the opportunities available to them. While decrying the growing moral decay, irresponsible and deviant behaviour, violence, indiscipline, alcohol and drug abuse and intolerance, the Head of state commissioned parents and educators to continue educating and mentoring our youths and instil in them values that will enable them to overcome life’s challenges.
The exodus of Cameroonians to greener pastures is not unnoticed by the President of the republic, reason why he lamented migrating at all cost while acknowledging the valuable contribution of youths for a brighter future of the country through their vitality and ingenuity.
Claudette CHIN
