Desperate high school ignored by government

A depleting secondary school in urgent need of revival is of grave concern to the community after being abandoned by the government despite desperate cries for help.

Built in 2009, Bangang Fondji high school, located in the district of Djebem in Kung-chi, is housed in a savannah on the eastern side of the river Nun, tucked away in the dark undergrowth.

The single building has two rooms which are both severely weather damaged and the institution is sorely lacking in all areas.

The entire school employs just ten members of staff and the 30 students who populate this savannah do the best they can with the largely insufficient number of teachers.

Professor Martin Songmy, director of general education schools, said: "Without water and no electricity, we have to carry two old computers that we have in place, at least they are functioning as IT is now a compulsory test for official exams. I am sometimes even forced to flatter the parents to send us students."

But the discontent goes much deeper. Without motivation, the owner himself is constantly crying out at the injustice because he feels neglected especially since he is on the verge of retirement after thirty years of dedicated service to the state.

Without residential premises in the village employees are forced to live in Bafoussam about 30 km away. Hence teachers are absent during rainy seasons because of the impracticability of the road.

Headmaster, Emmanuel Kodjouo, who occupied the position since 1987 eventually resigned due to lack of co-operation from the authorities. "The people of this village have been very intimidated and lost respect for public authorities," he said.

Overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenges, the local educational community resolutely turned towards charity. This was embedded in the double ceremony of giving prizes and vacation day, held on Friday 06 June.

The ceremony presented an opportunity for the helper, local elite, Emmanuel Tenadjang Sa'ah Mbeuh Ngouock, Chief Bangang-Fondji community of Douala, supported by his peers Nkongsamba, to give several awards including grants of 25,000 FCFA to the best students.

"It is not because we have a lot. It is putting all our hopes in the youth," says Emmanuel Tenadjang, implying that his gesture is just a small gesture.

Still, according to the Solidarity Association of Children and Youth's Joy , 2A2J +, based in France and led by the President of the Cameroon section, Marie Lucienne Nokam, only concerted action will save this property.

It argues that "the delivery of a significant donation of textbooks and hurricane lamps, share in the concern to rescue this community to try to reduce the deficit in education and strengthen book culture for children”.

Ironically, while classes like the 3rd or 5th have a staff to ten students per class, far from the average ratio of 60 students per class, the results do not always follow.