10 Important Issues About The Commission

1) Why Create a Commission on Bilingualism and Multiculturalism?
The creation of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (CNPBM) comes as a logical follow up of the commitment made by the Head of State during his end-of-year address to the nation last December 31. As guarantor of the constitution, President Biya by creating this commission sets out to reinforce this aspect of the Cameroonian people which he describes as rich and should be preserved. In the same vein, Cameroon is a country with a multiplicity of cultures characterised by over 250 languages which give her a specific identity in the African continent. Unfortunately, instead of serving as a serious resource for the development of the country, bilingualism for instance has remained limping.
2) Does the Commission Annul the Adhoc Commissions on Anglophone Sub System of Education?
The answer is a monosyllabic “No”. The NCPBM will operate as a separate entity. It is placed under the authority of the President of the Republic and has as duty to promote official bilingualism and the various cultures of the country in order to reinforce national unity and national integration. The Adhoc Commission to examine the problems raised by the Teachers’ Trade Unions of the Anglophone sub system will continue to fulfil its mission.
3) What the Commission is not?
The CNPBM is not responsible for regulating political problems in the likes of the famous Tripartite Conference of August, 1991. It is not a court and it is not a place where cultural groups will come to settle inter-tribal wars. In the same vein, it will not be a structure to promote cultural cleavages. The NCPBM does not replace existing cultural institutions, neither is it out to counteract the attributions of the Ministry of Arts and Culture.
4) What are its set objectives?
Cameroon’s bilingualism as well as its diverse cultures are under threat from political manoeuvres and are demanding protection with increasing insistence. The commission is charged with ensuring that this cankerworm does not go deep into the veins of Cameroonians. It has set as objective to make sure English and French remain official languages of equal status and as such should be used interchangeably in public places without any stigmatisation. The commission is expected to whip up the interest of the people in speaking the two languages and to make sure official documents are written in both English and French.
5) What is awaited from Cameroonians
 Bilingualism is a constitutional affair and consequently the responsibility of every Cameroonian. It is not only the affair of government officials or people holding government posts of responsibility. Bilingualism is not an issue for Anglophones neither is it only for French speaking Cameroonians. In the same manner, the cultural identity of a people should not be looked at only from the negative side. People must not link certain behavioural patterns, such as wickedness, prostitution, gluttony, dirt, primitiveness etc to certain cultural groups. The creation of the NCPBM is a serious challenge for all Cameroonians to enhance their love for bilingualism and promotion of national cultures.  
6. What Will Change?
The National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism will not only strengthen existing bilingualism (official languages of English and French) but will as well uphold the rich and diverse cultures of the country. With this, a sense and feeling of superiority or inferiority that greatly frustrates the essence of living together will be a thing of the past and Cameroonians from all backgrounds will be expected to feel important, have a sense of belonging and hopefully jointly contribute to the social, political, cultural and economic development of the country. With the Commission, the hitherto practice of important information in both public and private places and road signs solely in one language (depending on where one is), people pushing off others from public service because they are of one language or the other could change for the good of all.
7. What Distinguishes Bilingualism From Multiculturalism?
Cameroon’s bilingualism comes from the historical backgrounds of the two peoples (English and French) that today form the country’s uniqueness and oneness. Meanwhile, the two peoples have diverse cultures and traditions which constitute irresistible wealth worth upholding and preserving. The newly-created Commission will therefore work to deepen the r...

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