Government to close down 263 clandestine schools in Cameroon

The heads of the services at the Ministry of Basic Education were in conclave to prepare for the next school year which begins on September 7, 2015.

At the meeting on Thursday 20 August at Yaoundé, the Minister of Basic Education, Youssouf Adjida, ordered the systematic and immediate closure of 263 clandestine schools before the 2015/2016 school year.

Meeting with officials of the Department, as well as basic education private sector actors and other statutory members, Youssouf Adjida reviewed private basic education in Cameroon; a sector which is plagued by enormous problems both for the private secular as well as private confessional.

It is the precarious situation in which private basic schools work in Cameroon which inspired participants in their work. It includes infrastructure which is degrading and insufficient for those schools, which if not drowned in swamps, are in the homes of some individuals and some social homes.

Other reasons mentioned were insufficient classrooms and lack of teaching staff whose irregular pay is ridiculous. Also, most of them do not have a contract and are not affiliated to the CNPS. The inadequacy of financial resources, and particularly the proliferation of clandestine schools are all part of the challenges faced.

Participants also discussed their thoughts on the safety of students and teachers in schools especially in the Northern Rregions where children have become human bombs.

Specific measures will be taken from the next academic year to secure school campuses, the MOE announced.