" If in this particular case;we see that science ; Technology and research are levers that lift the world of today, and that we cannot effectively master science and technology without mastering the language of science and technology, if english is this language absolutely necessary ,and, if we conclude as a logical consequence , that the progress of no country , should be sacrificed or jeopadised to save another country,s face , and that english must therefore become the first foreign language of this country, within the accademy, without the accademy, then we must say so, and say so without pleasure , and say so without rancour , and say so without mincing, and say so remorselessly, and say so unrepentantly, and say so categorically " Bernard Fonlon
This powerfull prophecy of Professor Fonlon was said in his book the genuine intelectual published in 1969.He said it as an intelectual in politics who believes in indipendence and national interest in its face value unlike his colleagues in Government who believed Cameroon was a vassal state of France.These group opposed any innovative innitiative with the following phrase"C;est ne pas comme sa que sa c:est passe a Paris"
Close to fifty years after this historic statement english is gradualyy and surely going to be the first language in Cameroon by the time we celebrate the 75th birth day of indipendence and Reunification.
My assertion is based on the following statistics
In the year 2005, 230 000 Cameroonians went in for the following exams: GCE O&A levels + Probartoire & Bacaulaureat. 21.7% of this number (50 000) went in for the GCE O&A levels In the year 2013, 484 840 candidates went in for the very exams and the GCE candidates represents roughly (160 000) 33.3%. It therefore means that, in relative terms, the number of GCEcandidates have on average increased by 1.4% yearly, while those going in for French exams have reduced by the same number on average. If this trend continues one can predict that in roughly 12 years from now the two languages shall have the same weight in Cameroon.and by the time Cameroon celebrates her 75years of indipendence English shall be the language of the majority in Cameroon
Most Cameroon if given the opportunity will prefer english education for their kids like this Cameroonian of Arab extraction I saw in Kousseri. This gentleman had brought a car load of his children to drop in the english primary school of the locality .As his children bid him farewell and rushed to their various classes thie guy stood and watched them with some pride.When I accosted him he said he was very happy that his children are studying in english an opporturnity he never had.
Some for lack of means will sacrifuice to send at least one member of the family to an englih school like this my neighbour in Yaounde of Beti extrcation."I have sent only twxwo of my six Children to english school because anglophon education is very expensive I pay 75 000frs per child in the catholic school.How I wish Government increase subvention to mission schools or crat more english Government schools"
How I wish those in charge of managing the common weal copy the example of late professor Fonlon patriotism and give the people what they want for the supreme interest of the State.
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