By Moma Sandrine
The 2018/2019 school year officially kicked off in Cameroon on Monday September 3rd 2018. Amidst the numerous skepticisms that lingered around the atmosphere about schools reopening in the North West Region, some schools braved all odds and opened their doors on September 3.
Most government and mission schools in the North West that opened their doors on September 3rd recorded a timid start of the academic year with only a handful of students/pupils on campus. In Bafut, one of her renowned boarding schools PGSST that had officially reopened on the stated date suffered a big blow. On that day, at least six of her students alongside the principal Ndue Derick were kidnapped by suspected separatist fighters.
The abduction caused panic amongst parents who rushed to get their children off campus. Days after the kidnap, the students were freed alongside their principal. Though the students were not harmed, the principal however sustained some severe injuries that landed him in the hospital shortly after he was released.
Still in Bafut, teachers and other school officials have been receiving constant threats from suspected separatist fighters to boycott all school activities. This has intensified fear and panic amongst them, leaving the fate of schools effectiveness doubtful.
In Bamenda, Mezam Division of the North West Region, Monday September 3rd saw a completely deserted town. Few government schools were ready to start the school year. A handful of students that were found on these campuses seemed satisfactory for stakeholders of the education sector in the region. Though in relative terms the larger proportion of pupils and students stayed at home, one is however tempted to say schools resumed in Bamenda last week.
On Thursday September 6th, the principal of GBHS Mankon, Andre Gabiassi alongside one of his French language teachers were kidnapped by unknown men. They were taken from the school campus as the principal was chairing a staff meeting that fateful morning.
In Wum, Menchum Division of the North West Region of Cameroon, even though teachers showed up on campus on the day of school reopening, they were saluted by empty benches. In most of the schools including GPS Wum, no single pupil or student was spotted on campus. Similar was the case of schools in Fundong, Boyo Division.
Schools in Ndop, Ngoketunja Division also recorded a timid start. A few daring students were spotted around the campus of GBHS Ndop. On Friday September 7th, the principal Government Teacher’s Training College (GTTC) Ndop, Ndileupeh Abel was kidnapped by unknown men. This instigated fear amongst his staff and other school administrators all over the Division.
In Oku, Bui division, prior to schools reopening, the Paramount Fon, Sentieh II Martin Yosimbom was kidnapped by suspected separatist fighters. This act instigated fear among the population who kept their children far from school gates on September 3rd. It was a “ghost school resumption” in Oku. The Fon was however later set free on Friday September 7th under unknown conditions.
In Batibo, Mbengwi and other sub divisions that make up Momo Division, one is tempted to say that schools resumption in these areas were more concrete on paper than on ground. Teachers met empty classes and signed the logbook to fulfill all righteousness. It is first of all very difficult for students to access schools in these subdivisions since an official order had earlier banned the circulation of motor bikes throughout Momo. The Sun gathered that school is far from starting effectively in Ndonga-Mantung as well.
While most schools all over the region remain deserted, the few schools that can boast of students and pupils on campus have them in assorted wears. While most students and pupils desire to return to school, the uncertainty in the region limits them to their desires. Parents and teachers alike pray for normalcy to return to the two English speaking regions of the country so that students, pupils and teachers can have their lives back. “We are tired of the kidnappings” a teacher told The SUN.