PCC: Nine (9) Principals Appointed; Two (2) Dropped

 PEATTU President ‘Bribed’ as Manager of Schools

By IO Fossung

Appointments, postings and transfers are a normal occurrence in every set up. Last Thursday June 21, 2012, Njei Kale, the new Education Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, appointed his own people to serve. Out of the numerous institutions (colleges), the new ES appointed nine (9) principals and dropped two (2), including Mme Che Christiana, Principal of PSS Nkwen. One of the controversial decisions was the appointment of Afu Stephens Kwah, President of the Presbyterian Education Authority Teacher’s Trade Union, PEATTU, as Manager of schools. Yet, it is unclear whether Afu has accepted what critics style as ‘bribe’ or not.

The scenario was the PSS Bafut campus last Thursday June 21, 2012. Those who mattered within PCC education were present. It was the first conclave to decide on postings and transfers by Njei Kale, after he was appointed to replace Joseph Baboni last year. There was heightened tension as to allegations that Njei, the new ES had banked on clearing the house. Yet, at the end of it, the outcome was thus:

Nine principals appointed; 14 new vice principals; five (5) managers of schools, 19 discipline masters and 59 teachers transferred. One of those who caught the attention of Chronicle was Afu Stephen. He was upgraded from a classroom teacher at PHS Batibo, to become Manager of Bamenda East.

Critics hold that by press time, Afu had tacitly admitted/accepted his new function. Expectations that he could behave like Simon Nkwenti, Executive Secretary General of the Cameroon Teachers Trade Union, CATTU had been rife. Nkwenti declined an appointment as Principal of GBHS Mbatu, a few years ago, just because he said it was incompatible with his functions/activities as the CATTU scribe.

Will Afu Stephen accept the offer as PCC Manager? This has been the worry, even to PCC hierarchy, which proposed the portfolio to him. As PEATTU president, Afu is expected to champion the plight of PCC teachers. He is supposed to have a level-head, not an administrative portfolio that may jettison his focus, critics aver.

Amongst the major shake-ups within the PCC educational system, includes the following: Bokwe Hans, quits PHS Kumba to become Principal of PSS Nkwen as Mme Che Christiana retires; Koga Peter leaves PTTC/PSS Mbengwi to become the new principal of PHS Batibo. He replaces Mbaku Henry transferred to PSS Douala as principal; Lydia Penre is transferred from PSS Andek to PCHS Azire, while Akwo Gideon replaces her. Also Nana Evaristus moves from PSS Douala to PHS Kumba.

One of the shocking movements is that of some Cornelius who has been dropped as principal of PSS Wum. Even his Vice Principal Victor Senior was reduced to a classroom teacher at PSS Mankon. As earlier indicated, Mme Che Christiana, Principal of PSS Nkwen is retired, just as Fulee John, Manager of Bamenda West.

Principals who survived include  Wilson Kameyo Njitah of CPC Bali, Samuel Awantu of PSS Bafut, Cheng Bounzou Mauikeu of PCCSST Bafut, Kimah Constantine of PS Mankon; Mabo Raphael of PCHS Kumbo, Ayongwa Solomon of PCSS Limbe; Essim John of PCCS Buea; Epie Wilson of PCSS Fiango and Bessem Ebanyatem of PHS Besongobang.

For the Managers; Afu Stephen is for Bamenda East; Nku Queen Rose moved from Kumba East to Buea; Ndip Martha from PS Mutengene to Kumba East, Ndeh Christopher from Bamenda East to Bamenda West and Chief Tangwe Abenego from Buea to Kumba West.

Amongst the key vice principals appointed include  Timah Fred and Ngohati Martin at PSS Mankon; Tikum James- PSS Mbengwi, Ache Philip and Fongang Emmanuel- PSS Bafut; Umoh Odilia- PHS Batibo; Neba Martin- PSS Wum; Ekolo Divine- PCSS Buea; Anyang Peter- PTTC Mbengwi; Mbua Charles- PSS Douala; Wanyu Belinda- PCHS Kumbo. Ndichie David- CPC Bali; Keyaka Edward- PGSST Bafut amongst others.