By Ethel Muring & Tabi Brinette (UB Journalism Students on Internship)
The 2025 Cameroon General Certificate of Education exams, GCE, has recorded a pass rate of 75.46 percent, a 14.66 percent improvement from 2024, according to statistics released by the GCE Board on August 1.
The Board reported that 213,360 candidates registered for the 2025 exams, with 200,159 sitting for the tests and 151,039 passing, achieving the highest national pass rate in recent years.
The breakdown shows strong performances across levels: the GCE Advanced Level recorded a 79.38% pass rate, TVEE Advanced Level 71.19%, GCE Ordinary Level 78.56%, and TVEE Intermediate Level 52.03%.
While region-specific data for 2025 is pending, historical trends suggest the Centre and Littoral Regions continue to lead, with the Far North and East Regions facing challenges due to limited educational infrastructure.
In Buea, the epicenter of Anglophone education and the seat of the GCE Board, the results unleashed a wave of emotion among candidates, parents and relatives.
“I saw people crying and dancing around UB Junction. I’m sure results are out,” said Tanyu Victory, a resident of Tarred Malingo. From street vendors to taxi drivers, the city buzzed with excitement. Snack bars blasted music, WhatsApp statuses lit up with celebratory posts, and teachers and parents stood proud of their students’ triumphs.
Among the celebrants is Bih Tracy Fon, an Ordinary Level student at Government High School Limbe, who passed five of her seven subjects.
Despite battling ill health during the exams, Tracy expressed joy and disappointment.
“I am happy that I have passed, even though the results didn’t meet up to my expectations but I’m grateful because there are others who wanted to just see their names but didn’t,” she told The Post.
Excited about receiving gifts from family, Tracy remains grateful for her success, acknowledging the challenges she overcame.
Similarly, Tanyi Philip, an Advanced Level science student, had an outstanding result. He passed four papers despite significant obstacles.
Balancing work and education, Philip’s journey was far from easy.
“I had once dropped out of school to gather money and fund my education. At first, I didn’t even want to continue looking at how challenging it would be for me to study and work at the same time,” he told The Post.
A friend’s encouragement proved vital for him. “But a good friend advised and encouraged me to go back to school. She was a push factor to my progress and I’m thankful to God for seeing me through,” he added.
While Philip would be heading to the University, Tracy will be scaling up to High School where she will again face the GCE at Upper Sixth.