The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says 1.4 million children in Cameroon need to be educated.

More than one million school-aged children in Cameroon are deprived of a “quality education”, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Of these children, more than 600,000 are in an extreme situation in the North West and South West Regions due to the insecurity prevailing in these two regions. Since 2017, these regions are suffering from socio-political instability because of the anglophone crisis.

Between January and July 2023, the organisation recorded 13 violent incidents perpetrated in schools or against pupils by armed groups. 2,445 schools have been registered close. “During the month of September, during the two-week state of emergency (4-17 September) declared by non-state armed groups, schools were forced to close and several people were killed, abducted or physically assaulted,” the United Nations reported (UN Info).

Insecurity has also affected the quality of education for children in the Far North region, as the Islamic sect Boko Haram has invaded certain localities. According to Stopblablacam, 482,000 children in the Far North region are not receiving a quality education.