In a solemn ceremony in Bangangte presided over by the Senior Divisional officer for Nde, Hurbert Mathieu Mouafor Mambou, the laureates who were selected from various schools around the area, received prizes ranging from FCFA 20.000 to 100.000 and books. The occasion brought together laureates from schools in Bangangte, Bamena, Tonga, Bazou and other places.

The prizes were awarded to students in various classes who are performing well in their academic work. This included 40 Form One students, 40 pupils preparing for the First School Leaving Certificate Examination, FSLC, 40 students preparing to write the General Certificate of Education GCE, 40 students for the Probatoire Exams and 40 students studying for the Baccalaureate Exams.

The Nde Academic Excellence Award, which is in its third edition, saw the award of prizes to teachers of various levels. The first five best primary school teachers in the Division received FCFA 100.000 each as a prize of encouragement. Five best secondary school teachers and five best contract teachers were given a sum of FCFA 1 million.

The Nde elite also awarded the prizes of excellence to the tune of FCFA 2.7 million to 27 Parent Teachers Associations, PTAs, from the Primary, Secondary and High school sectors. They also donated computers to some schools in the area.

Speaking at the occasion, the SDO for Nde lauded the Nde elite for the initiative, which he said, has ignited high academic performance in the Division. He urged them to join the Nde academic excellence because a nation can only grow if a dynamic youth is encouraged.

For his part, the Secretary of the organising committee of the Academic Excellence Award, Prof. Chrispin Pettang thanked the donors, including the Urban Development Minister, Clobert Tchatat and the Rector of the Yaounde University I, Dr. Dorothy Limunga Njeuma, among others, who made the occasion a reality.

Meanwhile, the Secondary Education Delegate for the West, Christopher Pekoua, said ever since the Nde academic excellence award was instituted three years ago, the performance of students of the various schools in the area has increased, as there is healthy competition among students. The Principal of Lycee Classique Bangangte, Jean Paul Wojodji, told the press that the academic excellence award by the Nde elite has raised academic performance in his school up to 51 percent.

One of the laureates, Stephane Donald Njike Paho of College St Jean Baptiste, who emerged as one of the best students preparing for the Baccalaureate exams, told The Post that he will burry himself in his books so as to get the best results in the exams.

The Rector of the Yaounde University I, Dr. Dorothy Limunga Njeuma, alongside the Mayor of Bangangte, Keutche Celestine Epouse Coutes, among other dignitaries, was present at the occasion.