Cameroon GCE ordinary level June 2026 English language 2

SECTION A

DIRECTED WRITING (30 marks)

MARK DISTRIBUTION

• Content: (14 marks)

• Expression and Accuracy: (12 marks)

• Slanting: (04 marks)

Prompt:

You are a social worker and you have observed that early girl child marriages are still rampant in your community. Write a talk to be delivered on radio, on the reasons for this practice and the consequences on the girl child. Write in such a way that will convince the public to desist from such practice. Write in TWO paragraphs of not more than 150 words, paying attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation and handwriting.

EARLY GIRL CHILD MARRIAGE

It is common place in Cameroon to find young girls before the age of eighteen being propelled into early marriages. A parent of low socio-economic standing, having many children and in an overcrowded home, may send off one of the daughters prematurely into marriage as the only means of reducing the family load or amassing wealth for their livelihood. Some parents are of the notion that it is inherent in their religious beliefs and culture not only to get married to virgins but to marry as many as they are capable. It is this urge to get married to virgins that pushes them to go for the unspoiled teenagers, which in most cases are aged between nine and thirteen.

In a bid to avoid shame and disgrace some parents force their teenage daughters with unwanted pregnancies into early marriages. Such parents consider this a better option than to allow their daughters go in for an abortion. Some lazy young girls see early marriages as a way out of a long and tedious education or as a short cut to an easy and comfortable life, especially if married to a man of good socio-economic standing. No matter the reasons, the health consequences may be disastrous.

Any traumatic exercise such as difficult delivery may cause perinea tear or rupture of the uterus and surrounding structures. These may also cause faecal or urinary incontinence. Infections may ensue, resulting from poor treatment or from direct contamination by a chronically infected older or polygamous husband. Some of these chronic infections like gonorrhoea or genital TB can lead to infertility.

Female hormones alter the chemical constitution of connective tissue making it more pliable, making the stretching of the cervix possible, making the relaxation of the joint capsules possible and making the pelvic joints mobile.

In some areas young girls are being betrothed to old men, who initially play the role of father and uncle to the girl but ultimately get married to the girl. Apparently, these young girls are traumatised and forced to play the role of house wives.

Socially, premature marriages cause a disruption in the child’s education or career and such a young mother may subsequently find herself in the same classroom or examination centre with her son or daughter. Also, most early marriages are not founded on love, and this may lead to early divorces and the resultant consequences for the whole family.

Early girl child marriage, like female genital mutilation should be completely discouraged and vehemently condemned in our society. Our civil and religious authorities have a moral role to play by rejecting such couples and refusing to legalise or bless such marriages.