Buea, Cameroon: Students of the University of Buea are showing their rage as the students were charged 2,000 FCFA for collecting the degree certificates.
Students were in anger when the fees of $5 (2000 FCFA) were imposed on them to collect the degree. The Vice-Chancellor – Prof. Ngomo Horace, himself made the announcement publicly on January 4, 2024 to pertain the certificates for graduates from the year 2019 to 2021.
As per the sources, the communique informed the graduates that their certificates are now available for collection at their respective establishments beginning from January 09, 2024 and asked the students must present a receipt of payment of 2,000 submitted from the Receipt Control Office.
The requirement has met with significant backlash from students who perceived it as an injustice.
One student said that it is sad to say that one has to pay 2k before collecting the certificate for which he or she has already paid so many tuition fees.
Students are furious and expressed frustration as after completing the clearances and receiving attestations, they still have to submit the additional fees.
Another student expressed, “Can we not simply have a collection pole for that?”
The student pleaded for the collection pole as collecting additional fees is exploitation. He added, “At least those who have completed studies should easily pass by and collect their certificates.”
This is not the first time that such complaints were received regarding alleged exploitation from students of the University of Buea.
Despite its well-maintained reputation as a renowned institution, it is a kind of disconnection that seems to exist between the administration and the student body.
The dispute is creating hindrances between the desired fair and cordial relationship.
A social media user, Anastasia Kufor, commented on the situation, “That’s what this Cameroon has turned to be, aggravating the poor living conditions of the majority of its citizens. God will liberate us.”
A digital creator, Jusian Audere, supported the students and wrote, “I also paid. This country, there are many ways these people exploit students.”