Schools in the north abandoned due to insecurity

Several schools and colleges are still closed in the far North region, because of insecurity maintained by the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram, whose repeated incursions in Cameroonian territory is immensely affecting residents.

"One month from the end of the first term, officials of the Ministry of Basic Education (MOE) and the Ministry of secondary teaching (MINESEC) recognize that" classes have been disrupted by insecurity linked to Boko Haram activities, since many schools are still not functional.

Not only teachers have abandoned their duty stations, but the parents prefer to send their children to secure areas. Some even do not leave their wards home alone. A customary chief noted that, "the village is emptied of its inhabitants because of insecurity. In these conditions, who will go to school, to be taught by whom?".

The communities most affected by this situation are those that share border with Nigeria, including the departments of Logone and Chari, Mayo-Tsanaga and Mayo-Louti in the far north of Cameroon.

"According to concurring testimony, several abandoned schools are occupied, either by Cameroonians who have fled the "combat zones", or either by Nigerian refugees whose number continues to increase.