RECRUITMENT
COVERStory
ZOOM ON THE 25,000
OPERATION
A few months after the massive recruitment of young professionals into the public service, an insider sheds more light on the operation as well as the working conditions of the Lucky Ones.
By SAJI Emmanuel*
I
n the drive towards accomplishing his “Greater Ambitions” policy and realizing the dream of an emergent Cameroon by 2035, the President of the Republic of Cameroon, H.E. Paul Biya, on February 2011, launched the massive recruitment of 25,000 “young” certificate holders into Cameroon’s Public Service. As he promised in his address to the youths on the eve of the 2011 National Youth Day, or the commemoration of the Plebiscite, if you like, potential applicants were called upon to submit files from which 25,000 candidates would be selected to fill the gaps that were very present in the public service.
all the promises that were so eloquently coined were trampled on the ground. For the most part, these employees had professional certificates and could fit into different specific or specialised fields for which they were trained but all did not really turn out as they had expected. In some cases, Civil Engineers were posted as Physics and Mathematics teachers in government secondary and high schools. Senior Translators who had received intensive training in Translation Studies found themselves in classrooms, in some of the most remote parts of the country, as English and French Language teachers.
the level or quality of these translations and their authors. One can only imagine that while some candidates had special recommendations from strategic authorities, others believe that if you are bilingual you can interpret or translate. That’s about as true as saying that if you have two hands, you can automatically be a concert pianist.
What Lies Ahead?
However, one thing is certain; the recruitment of 25,000 “young” certificate holders was a lofty idea but the government should be more meticulous with selection. In addition, legal texts which address the provision of quality and Criteria-Based Selection? professional language services Misleading Initiative? in the country should be reMany questions cropped up consulted and implemented so According to public opinion, about the criteria that were as to ensure a smooth ride for the 25,000 saga was just a ploy used to recruit and post some the entire process and a bright by the powers that be to place of these “State Employees future for novice translators. themselves at a comfortable (translators)”. What were position in major political their qualifications? Were _____________________________ events and to ensure victory for they trained translators or just *Saji is a Senior Translator working at the Registra’s Office of the University of Buea, themselves all the way. Some mere bilinguals and linguists? Cameroon people, however, applauded Today, it suffices to read some the decision to recruit such a translated ministerial press huge number of citizens; but releases or open tenders in the sweet soon turned bitter when Cameroon Tribune to grade
ASA’s Voice NO.2 January2O13
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