MINESEC Takes Moves To Crack Down On Exam Malpractices, Boost Certificate Credibility

Following instructions from the Honorable minister of secondary education, the use of Cameras in examination rooms is now operational. 

This bold move prior to the writing of the GCE, is aimed at restoring confidence in Cameroon’s examination system, the Ministry of Secondary Education instructed the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in all examination rooms across the country.

This nationwide initiative, championed by the Minister of Secondary Education, Prof. Pauline Nalova Lyonga, is designed to reinforce the credibility of certificates issued after terminal examinations, particularly those of the Cameroon General Certificate of Education (GCE) and other key national assessments.

According to the Ministry, the introduction of surveillance cameras is part of a broader reform strategy to modernize the education sector and curb persistent examination malpractices that have continued to undermine the value of academic qualifications.

For years, examination halls have been plagued by various forms of dishonest practices. Candidates have often been reported to engage in coordinated cheating, discreet copying from one another, and the use of unauthorized materials, sometimes outsmarting the vigilance of invigilators.

These acts, though frequently detected in some cases, have remained difficult to fully eliminate due to limited supervision capacity and overcrowded examination centres. In many instances, a small number of invigilators are often tasked with monitoring large groups of candidates, making it challenging to maintain strict control throughout the examination period.

The Ministry believes that CCTV surveillance will significantly strengthen oversight by providing continuous monitoring of examination rooms. The presence of cameras is to serve both as a deterrent and a tool for post-exam verification in cases where irregularities are suspected.

Officials argue that this innovation will not only reduce cheating but also ease the burden on examiners and invigilators, effectively reinforcing their manpower through technology. With real-time monitoring and recorded footage, examination board is now better equipped to identify malpractices, investigate suspicious behaviour, and take appropriate disciplinary measures.

The presence of cameras in Exam halls is equally in response to education stakeholders who had long expressed concern over the erosion of academic integrity, warning that continued malpractice threatens the reputation of Cameroon’s education system both locally and internationally. The credibility of certificates, they argue, is only as strong as the integrity of the examination process that produces them.

While the prompt measure has been widely welcomed as another mighty step in the ongoing reforms, it is also expected to raise discussions around implementation logistics, including funding, maintenance of equipment, and privacy considerations within examination environments.

Nevertheless, the Ministry maintains that the long-term benefits outweigh the challenges. By integrating technology into examination supervision, Cameroon is positioning itself towards a more transparent, accountable, and credible education system.

As implementation takes effect all the schools nationwide and examination centres across the country have smartly adapted to the new system, marking a significant shift in how national examinations shall hence be conducted and monitored.

With the successful implementation now in all the centers as instructed by the Minister, the CCTV initiative could become a turning point in Cameroon’s fight against examination malpractice, restoring trust in academic results and strengthening the value of its educational certificates.

By Ignatius Nji / Boma Christopher, Guests writers 

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