Many secondary schools in Cameroon are now without teachers, as over 3,637 tutors have abandoned duty, according to the Ministry of Secondary Education.
The number of schools was announced in two outings this year by secondary education minister, Prof Nalova Lyonga.
Schools affected are both in urban and rural areas.
On November 4, 2024, Prof Nalova Lyonga said 1,509 teachers had abandoned duty.
Warning of disciplinary sanctions, the minister asked the concerned to report to their duty posts with supporting documents within 14 days.
Teacher absenteeism has been persisting in the secondary education sector, despite repeated warnings from the government.
In February this year, Prof Nalova Lyonga announced that 2,128 teachers were missing from duty.
While some are reported to have traveled abroad to seek better opportunities, others are unable to resume work due to armed conflicts in the Anglophone and the Far North Regions.
Teachers are not the only civil servants who have abandoned duty.
Administrative officials have been pushing for public servants who have abandoned duty to resume or face sanctions.
Some weeks back,the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Menchum in the restive North West region sent out a circular asking service heads to submit names of civil servants who have fled their duty posts but still receiving government salaries.
A total of 8125 absentee state workers have been earmarked for dismissal from the public service in the 2025 budgetary orientation on the others of President Paul Biya.
