Thousands of students have begun writing the 2017 session of
examinations organized by the General Certificate of Education GCE Board in
Bamenda. The students grouped in some special centers hosted by some public
schools stormed the examination centers this Monday June 12, 2017 visibly
prepared to face the examination despite the difficulties in preparation due to
the dampened socio political climate in the city and region by extension. It’s
a “kontri Sunday” so we pitch out tent on Government Bilingual High School Down
Town Bamenda.
“I am a student of ST Frederick Comprehensive College. I
came to school last week and I was told that we will be writing here in down
town and that is why I am here this morning. I had to spend FCFA 600 to be here
but I am happy many students are here for the exams. I didn’t wear my uniform
because I am afraid. I heard the other day that a student’s hand was cut on her
way to school so I was afraid since I am coming from inside Makon. i have been
reading books and I hope what will come I be able to answer because it has been
very difficult preparing.” A female student told hilltopvoices before
rushing to the assembly ground.
While at the assembly ground, the chief of center tells the
students to respect the time schedule insisting that the morning paper will
start at 8am while the afternoon will start at 1pm. this will be received with
a disappointing loud sound from the crowd. With a majority of students dressed
in assorted, the chief warned against wearing of face caps and oversized
pullovers and recommended decent dressing.
As those who had effectively registered and identified their
centers rushed to their respective writing halls, others could be seen
stranded. The stranded candidates had different worries some had registered but
could not identify their halls while others were hoping to register and write
same day. Those who had register start the writing before these cases will be
looked into.
“I was attending evening school at Ntamulung and have been
coming here for almost two weeks to register but the principal told me to come
and write. I also heard on the radio and the Crtv that anybody can come and write
whether registered or not.” An angry looking man told hilltopvoices after
shouting for long demanding where to register or write. He will later be seen
in one of the halls where unregistered candidates were group to write.
Though official sources could not talk to Hilltopvoices
probably because they were busy, we gathered from other sources that about
16centers were being accommodated in the campus of GBHS Down Town with an
expected number of over 1200candidates for GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level and
Close 200 for the GCE Technical. Some of the prominent centers are Or Lady of
Lourdes, PCHS Mankon, GBHS Down Town itself and ST Frederick Comprehensive
College amongst them an avalanche of external centers on the area.
As the first paper ends a student tells the guardian post
“We just wrote Economics paper one. It was easy and most of the things we wrote
were most form tree and four work. It was good. I am happy.” Looking really
happy he takes off telling this reporter he must go and prepare for Economics
paper two in the afternoon.
Security forces around the campus are mixed and combat ready
spotted allover as this reporter left the campus.
For three weeks these candidates hope to be here for their
exams with no interruption despite the uncertainly that looms with
extraordinary security presence.