THUMBS DOWN FOR THE CAMEROON GOVERNMENT

It is no longer a secret: the state of Cameroon does not recognize ‘Religious Studies’ as a passed subject at the General Certificate of Education (GCE).

Systematically, and sadly for decades now, in the specifications for applying for admission into institutions of learning and even conditions for obtaining a job, there is always this incongruous and vexatious proviso which says, “at least, two passes at the GCE ‘Advanced Level’ excluding Religious Studies.”

The question that arises is, why does the government exclude Religion?  Is it not paradoxical that at the same time, the state allows the Holy Bible or the Holy Qur'an to be used in court for swearing before cases are heard, it tramples thus on religious studies?  Furthermore, at a time when the government has declared an all-out war against corruption and moral decadence, is it not contradictory that the subject of Religious Studies is being relegated to the background, denigrated and derided? What is more, the same government allows it to be taught in schools and examined by the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Board. Why?

Whatever the human being does and wherever the human being goes, it is clear that the ultimate being and good is above, up in heaven and that religion is both the direct link and channel to God.  It is a known fact therefore that the nearer we get to him, the purer, the saner, the more wholesome, the more morally upright we are.  And, of course, religion is the channel and the conduit for that.  If we remove it, we unnecessarily create a gaping vacuum which creates several other attendant inconveniences.

It is difficult to determine how such an incongruity came about.  Nonetheless, it is clear that it is a blow to the Anglo-Saxon culture which is part and parcel of Cameroon. Religious Studies is a subject in the Anglophone GCE examination.

So if that is the case, then why have the authorities done nothing about the problem? The situation becomes even more critical when one considers that although no Anglophone has headed any of the three ministries in charge of education in the country, up to four Anglophones have headed the higher and more authoritative portfolio of Prime Minister and head of government.  In that position, they were powerful enough to place Religious Studies its rightful place on the national curriculum. Nonetheless, the onus is on, the current Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang, to correct the imbalance, since it is said that it is never too late.

Whether we realize it or not, there is a considerable concern among students, parents and teachers over what they consider is a sheer waste of time and resources put into the studying and examination of Religious Studies.  The idea is that if in the end studies in Religion are scored with a zero by the very state that set up the structures under which the discipline is taught and examined, then it is as if the state is pressing both the ‘play’ and ‘stop’ buttons of a tape recorder at the same time.  Such an act is counterproductive and unhealthy.

Let us not paper over the cracks on the wall.  Let us not throw away the substance for the shadow.  Let us recognize Religious Studies as a GCE subject – alongside the other subjects - and effectively use it as we use other subjects.