CREATION OF A PRIVATE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CAMEROON

General and technical secondary schools are schools that offer courses that prepare students for further education, college, or the workforce.

General secondary school

A school that offers general courses, such as English, languages, science, technology, math, physical education, art etc.

Technical secondary school

A school that offers technical training and courses that prepare students for specific career fields

Regulatory Landscape of Private General and Technical Secondary Schools in Cameroon

The process to create a private general and technical secondary school in Cameroon is engaged under the Ministry of Secondary Education.

Any private investment in the sector of teachers training college 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 CREATE A PRIVATE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CAMEROON

The process of setting up a private general and technical secondary school in Cameroon is as follows;

• 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 a private general and technical secondary 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 creating a private general and technical secondary school 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 private general and technical secondary 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 create

Compliance Standards to create a private general and technical secondary school in Cameroon

1. Technical Compliance Standards
2. Academic Compliance Standards
3. Financial Compliance Standards
4. Tax Compliance Standards

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED FOR THE AUTHORIZATION TO CREATE A PRIVATE GENERAL AND TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN CAMEROON

Documents required for a general private secondary school

1. A declaration to create signed by the proprietor on a standard form

2. Attestation of presentation of the proprietor’s original certificate (at least the 1er degree );

3. Proprietor’s certificate of non-conviction

4. A certificate of land ownership, covering an area not less than 2500m2, signed by the local Land registrar.

5. A recommendation letter signed by a DO or a 1^st or 2^nd class traditional ruler etc.