An evening school in Cameroon, also known as a night school, is a school that offers classes in the evening or late afternoon, usually for adults who work during the day. Evening school programs follow the same day school programs but for the fact that classes are rather delivered after working hours as opposed to the day schools.
In essence, evening schools offer the following variety of classes:
- Personal enrichment: Classes to help adults develop new skills or further their job or life skills
- High school diploma: Classes to help students who need to retake failed courses or complete credits to graduate
- College certification: Classes to help adults get a certification to study at university level
- Degree completion: Classes to help adults start or finish a degree
Regulatory Landscape of setting up an Evening School in Cameroon
The process to register an evening school in Cameroon is engaged under the Ministry of Basic education.
Any private investment in the sector of education in Cameroon must be done in compliance with Law No 2004/022 of 22 July 2004 to lay down the rules governing the organization and functioning of private education in Cameroon.
Steps to setup an Evening School in Cameroon
The registration process of an evening school in Cameroon is engaged through steps to with;
- Step 1: Choose a Business Structure
- Step 2: Choose a Location
- Step 3: Setup an Organizational Structure
- Step 4: Acquire or Lease a Land for the Project
- Step 5: Compile the necessary documents
- Step 6: Apply for the Authorization to Operate
These steps will be examined below as follows
Step 1: Choose a Business Structure
What is the best legal structure to set up an evening school in Cameroon?
a. Register the school as a business: This could be done through the formation of a limited liability company or a partnership in conformity with the relevant laws of OHADA. However, the promoters or founders will have more protection under the umbrella of a limited liability company as opposed to a partnership.
b. Register the school as an NGO: The law has made allusion to any corporate body as a recognized entity to carry out private educational activities in Cameroon. A corporate body is a group of people or an organization that acts as a single entity with legal rights and responsibilities. In this regard, a Non-Governmental Organization duly registered in Cameroon can engage in the activity of promoting education through the establishment of private education institutions and programs.
Step 2: Choose a Location
How important is the location map of the school to its opening and extension in Cameroon?
Section 5 of the law provides that “Provided that the school location map, regulations on physical and mental health, on town planning and housing, as well as on the specific standards for the educational system are strictly adhered to, the opening and extension of private schools and training institutions shall be free”.
Step 3: Setup an Organizational Structure (Hire Qualified Personnel)
a. Proprietor’s Organization: Proprietors shall be grouped in 4 (four) organizations, each of which shall be endowed with a legal status and placed under the supervision of the Minister in charge of secondary education or the Minister in charge of technical education and vocational training, as the case may be.
b. Personnel Quality: Administrative and pedagogic officials in private schools and training establishments shall be education professionals. They shall be responsible for ensuring quality in the courses offered. They shall be full-time staff and be approved by the State.
Step 4: Acquire or Lease a Land/Building
The acquisition or renting of a building in which the evening school project will be engaged is very vital for the success of the venture.
Step 5: Compile the Necessary Documents
Documents Required for the Approval
The documents to be submitted for approval by the Ministry of Secondary Education of Cameroon will depend on the legal structure put in place. They are as follows;
a. Business Structure documents
The documents to be submitted if the legal entity is a business structure like a limited liability company is as follows;
- Incorporation Documents of the Company
- Personal documents of the company founders alongside their non-crime certificate
- If the founder(s) assume administrative and pedagogic responsibility, they must present the qualifying documents/certificate/authorization to prove they are education professionals.
- The location plan of the school
- The architectural plan of the school
- The list of qualified staff
- Health and Safety Policy
- The finance documents etc.
b. Non-Governmental Organization
The documents to be submitted if the legal entity is an NGO is as follows;
- A copy of the constitution of the NGO
- A List of the executive bureau of the NGO
- The qualifying certificate, documents or authorization of the founders/members of the executive bureau of the NGO who assume administrative and pedagogic responsibilities
- The location plan of the school
- The architectural plan of the school
- The list of qualified staff/personnel
- The Health and Safety Policy
- The Finance Documents etc.
Step 6: Apply for the Authorization to Operate
Compliance Standards for the registration of an Evening School in Cameroon
- Technical Compliance Standards
- Academic Compliance Standards
- Financial Compliance Standards
- Tax Compliance Standards
The Application File
Statements on the creation and opening of an Evening School must be submitted simultaneously, against receipt, to the local representative of the private education association, who has fifteen (15) days to forward them with a legal opinion to the Regional Delegate. The latter has thirty (30) days to forward, with a legal opinion, (the including said declarations, with a copy of the receipt,) to the Minister of Secondary Education.
The file shall comprise:
- A certified true copy of the building permit or a registered lease agreement or a free of charge transfer of buildings;
- A membership certificate in one of the Private Education Associations;
- A list of names of administrative and teaching staff;
- A list of didactic equipment;
- An attestation of available funds representing three (3) months’ salary of the permanent staff;
- Photocopies of staff certificates;
- The instrument to open the host.
Importance of Accreditation for a Nursery and Primary School in Cameroon
Assures quality
Accreditation is a voluntary process that evaluates schools against nationally accepted standards to ensure they are providing a quality education.
Helps students
Accreditation can help students by:
- Ensuring they receive a quality education
- Making them eligible for financial aid
- Helping them transfer credits to other accredited schools
- Making their degrees recognized by employers
- Helping them find jobs
Helps parents
Accreditation can help parents make informed decisions about their children’s education.
Helps schools
Accreditation can help schools by:
- Fostering accountability to the public
- Encouraging continuous improvement
- Helping them improve their performance
- Providing access to certified information about their facilities and infrastructure
- Forster Partnerships
- Attracts Funding
Helps the profession
Accreditation can help the profession by:
- Fostering collegial relations among educators
- Ensuring that all accredited programs meet the same standards
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