It is noted that M’muock kingdom is one of the kingdoms in Lebialem Division of the South West Region of Cameroon that has produced high ranking elite. This is probably because of the education this people receive since colonial period. The origin of education in M’muock kingdom can be traced as far back as in the 1930s. This can be seen in the advanced stage of education in some families in the kingdom. In 2008, Mr Tianguam Rosetang under the umbrella of BENOH M’MUOCK (M’MUOCK NEWS) Magazine met late Pa Mofor Forlemu Ntsobeno, a retired Director of public works during President AMADOU AHIDJO government who through more light on the matter and had the following history to tell in an interview :

1) Mr Tianguam: in our village, we have these two families, Fozao and Forlemu that are very advanced in education. Why that step ahead of other families?

Pa Forlemu: Well! It is because of the village history which I will tell you in a brief manner. I will start the history with the Royal family of the kingdom. HM Fozao Nkeanglefack begat HM Fozao Fietso who begat HM Fozao Nzota I. My grandfather, Tah Mofor Temoh Faolefack was the elder brother of HM Fozao Nkeanglefack from the same womb. My grandfather begat my father Tebeko Tendongo Forlemu who begat me, Ntsobeno Mofor Forlemu. Due to the lack of a school in our kingdom in those days (1910s), HM Fozao Fietso who grew up with my father (Tebeko Tendongo Forlemu) was sent by his father (HM Fozao Nkeanglefack) to Dschang where he attended a German school. My father who loved his cousin so much (intimately) insisted to go with him to Dschang. As HM Fozao Fietso was schooling in Dschang, my father became a labourer clearing grass in Dschang under German as colonial masters. When HM Fozao Nkeanglefack slept, his son Fietso was withdrawn from school to succeed him and he became HM Fozao Fietso. Because HM Fozao Fietso became King, tradition demanded him to stay in the kingdom. My father also returned from Dschang to meet his cousin HM Fozao Fietso. They loved each other exceptionally. As my grandfather traveled to join his ancestors, my father also succeeded him and became Mofor Temoh Tebeko Tendongo. These two lovers of education had realized the value of education at that time because they saw its importance in Dschang, pleaded with the Basel Mission Authority to establish a school in our kingdom. This vernacular school came into existence in about the 1940’s and existed only for a few years. I entered that school in 1942 and we studied only Douala language and those who succeeded vernacular 2 were sent to Bechati to attend a primary school. The school was in the king’s palace. In the 1950’s, this school ceased to exist. Presbyterian school (PS) Fosimondi was established in 1955. PS Fosimondi became GPS M’muock and it still exists. Then in 1952, my father was crowned HRH Forlemu by his Cousin HM Fozao Fietso. Thus, his name changed from Mofor Temoh Tebeko Tendongo to HRH Forlemu.

These cousins after realizing the value of education in Dschang had become aware of and anxious to educate their children but others villagers were not aware of it till later. In fact, I remember that some of my friends escaped and return to the village when we went to primary school in Bechati (they complained of mosquito bites). My father died the year he was crowned HRH (1952), fortunately, his death never discouraged me from schooling. Since then, we descendants have the continued habit of our fathers (educating our children). This is why these two families are advanced in education in our kingdom because their fathers saw its values as far back as 1930s where as others villagers only realized it in 1955 when the PS Fosimondi came.

Many Villagers resisted to send their children to the vernacular school in 1942 claiming it was a religious school. They hated religion because of traditional crashes. However, I am very happy other villagers realized the value of education in the 1950s which was not late.