By Elah Geoffrey Mbong
In two separate communiqués published on Friday, February 24, 2017, the Minister of Secondary Education, Jean Ernest Ngalle Bibehe, and the Minister of Basic Education, Hadidja Alim Youssouf, denied information suggesting that that the 2016/2017 academic year has been declared blank by UNESCO.
The ministers called suggestions of a blank academic year, mare rumours that is aimed to keep the schools closed.They also add that the candidates for the 2017 exams and exams will run smoothly. Both ministers say the exams will be held on the dates originally planned, said Minister Ngalle Bibehe.
Due to the current strike by Anglophones which has led to the interruption of classes in schools in the English-speaking Regions of Cameroon for more than three months, unofficial information circulating on social networks suggests that UNESCO has already declared a Year in Cameroon.
Schools have remained largely closed in the North West and South West regions following the strike action announced by teachers’ trade unions who sought to ‘restore’ the English sub section of education.
Despite calls from government, politicians, traditional authorities for parents to send their children to school, most parents have remained reluctant citing security reasons. They have urged government re-lunch dialogue with the striking teachers so that effective classes may resume.
However, the minister of Higher Education, Jacques Famme Ndongo has insisted that schools and public exams will go on as usual and students who do not attend schools will have themselves to blame.
Some schools have timidly started classes while others, especially mission schools have not yet opened their doors.