Yaounde: MADA Int’l College graduates 7th batch in grand style.

The graduation ritual took place under the guidance of the Country Manager of the British Council, Caroline Ndifor. It was also attended by school officials and a multitude of parents.  

The graduates included nine Grade 12 Senior students, who sat the Cambridge Advance Levels; 25 Upper Sixth students, who wrote the General Certificate of Education, GCE, Advanced Levels; ten Grade 11 students, who took the Cambridge IGCSE and 75 Form Five students, who wrote the GCE Ordinary Levels. 

The graduates, officials said, satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements prescribed by the Department of Academic Affairs, under the Cambridge and National Curricula. 

According to the Principal and Head of School at MADA International College, Calistus Tubuo, it was not an easy ride. 

Tubuo said thanks to their professionalism, they braved the odds to overcome all challenges. 

Tubuo stated that the graduates have been well groomed intellectually and socially to impact and make a difference in society. 

“I am certain my leaners are able to adequately handle local problems and address global challenges. They are ready to be integrated into any University or High School with no problem,” Tubuo boasted. 

The Head of School added that he has “already compiled their files for the University admission department. Most of them have solicited for universities out of Cameroon, in the United Kingdom, UK, and the United States of America, USA. The process has started and needs to be ongoing between now till the universities confirm their admissions”.

Graduates urged to remain focused 

The keynote speaker at the event, who is the Country Manager of the British Council, Caroline Ndifor, said the graduates were standing in a place of privilege and honour.

Ndifor said she expects the graduates to demonstrate the skills, and competences that they have built while at MADA International College. She reminded them that they are stepping into a world that is very volatile. 

The British Council Country Manager urged the graduates to “stay within the confines of your upbringing; be it at home or at school”. 

Ndifor also added that: “You have to stay from unnecessary distraction. You need to remain focused. You need to carve a path that you can walk seamlessly without stumbling. The stumbling blocks will be there, but it is what you do with those blocks that matter”. 

Graduates express joy

The graduates of MADA International College, expressed joy following their graduation. 

Grade 12 senior student, Lekaboth Etsil Danilo Ferdinand, said that it was a privilege to have graduated from such a citadel of learning.

Lekaboth thanked his parents and the school officials for their support and guidance. He said after his graduation, he has ambitions to “study biomedical engineering, a field concerned in the creation of artificial organs and applying physics in biology and medicine”. 

Another graduate, Ngalle Leticia Lucrece, said it is “a great pleasure for me to have studied here because we have several advantages like travels and the ability to study in foreign universities. I was honoured to graduate from this prestigious institution”. 

MADA Int’l College gets Cambridge accreditation 

MADA International College is now a fully accredited Cambridge International School, under the British Council Associate. 

The announcement was made by Caroline Ndifor, during the graduation ceremony. 

Officials of MADA International College received certificates of registration to certify that they are officially registered as a Cambridge International School, a Cambridge Early Years Centre, and a Cambridge Primary School. 

According to Ndifor, the accreditation of MADA International as one of the British Council partner schools, is the end of a long and intensive journey. 

Ndifor also explained that the Cambridge accreditation means that MADA International College shall respect the norms and standards laid down by Cambridge and the British Council. 

Going by Ndifor, “these are things around; health and safety, safeguarding child protection, security of the premises, managing the school in a way that demonstrates that there is a system in place to support professional development for teachers and making sure that the environment is safe and healthy for leaners”.

Enter MADA Int’l College founder

Reacting to the Cambridge accreditation of MADA International College, the founder of the acclaimed learning institution, Marie-Therese Nana, said it is a significant milestone for the school. 

“I am so excited. I am exceptionally very happy. You know it is not proper for somebody to have his or her children in a school that is not accredited for so many reasons. And I think that because of that, we did not have the number of students we use to have. It has really been challenging,” Nana revealed.  

Accreditation to elevate academic standard at MADA Int’l

The MADA International College proprietress also mentioned that the Cambridge accreditation will elevate the academic standard of the school. 

Nana said MADA International College will have access to other accredited schools and build synergy. Nana also revealed that they are “going to have a global recognition of our certification and qualification that will come to our school”. 

Nana told parents that thanks to the accreditation, their children are sure of admission into foreign universities. 

She also mentioned that: “The teachers are now exposed to extra-curricular activities to learning and training programs, which were not so before. Our children now will have access to the whole world. They can go to universities of their choice anywhere in the world. They will be accepted and recognised worldwide”. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3142 of Tuesday June 18, 2024