The Dual Colonial Heritage of Cameroon: A Roadblock to Viable National Education Reform

Abstract

Educational reform on a national scale often presents complexities due to the myriad perspectives of the stakeholders involved. Particularly in multicultural and multilingual societies, the distinct frames of reference can significantly impede compromise. One challenge is the change agents’ occasional oversight of local nuances. In Cameroon, attempts at reform, especially at primary and secondary education levels, have been notably contentious since the country’s independence from France and Britain in 1960. The subsequent reunification of British Southern Cameroon and French Eastern Cameroon established an imperfect union, birthing two education and legal systems with distinct characteristics, difficult to harmonize. A comprehensive review of the literature indicates that resistance to educational reform is more deeply rooted in the dual colonial legacy than the vast diversity of ethnicities and languages. Notably, in 1960, Cameroon comprised over 279 ethnic groups and languages within a population of less than six million. In contemporary times, for a now-divided Cameroon, home to approximately twenty-four million residents, successful educational reform that addresses modern-day needs can only materialize if both decision-makers and citizens prioritize a Cameroonian identity over their Francophone or Anglophone affiliations. This shift is crucial given the prevailing sociopolitical challenges that not only complicate educational harmonization but also impede national integration and unity.