The All Anglophone Teachers’ Unions have called for an end to attacks on schools in the North West and South West regions as schools resume today in Cameroon.

In both regions, separatists are killing pupils and teachers in an attempt to enforce the ban on opening schools.

To this end, the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute,  held last week consultative meeting to discuss security issues with a view to the resumption of classes. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Basic Education and the Minister of Secondary Education and that of Defense.

It emerged from the meeting that everything is in place for the start of the school year. This includes strengthening security in schools identified as vulnerable, raising awareness among those involved in the education sector, ensuring the safety of students and teachers on their way to and from school, and maintaining a permanent security presence when students and teachers are in school. The number of military personnel stationed near schools has also been increased. The press is reporting that Bamenda and some parts of the North West are under siege today following military raids. It is not clear what the raids are about or what they are intended to achieve.

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Basic Education, Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, and Secondary Education, Pauline Nalova Lyonga, say they are ready for the start of the new school year. The security situation in the three regions is nothing new. “A few years ago, the security situation was even worse than it is now. The school will continue. We have to work in synergy with the defence and security forces. In terms of administration and teaching, the government has done what was necessary,” reassures Minister Lurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa.

The Minister of Secondary Education assures us that the level of preparation is sufficient for a peaceful start to the new school year. Pauline Nalova Lyonga says her department and the various territorial delegations are well prepared for the start of the new school year.