Armed conflict in NW, SW: Transfer us to secure regions, teacher tells government

For the last four years, life has been hard for residents in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.

It has however been worse for especially teachers who are caught between the belligerents.

Many have been kidnapped, maimed tortured, and even killed for teaching as separatists seek to enforce a school boycott.

Government too is not making things easier for them, as authorities insist that they should teach, or lose their jobs despite the odds.

A concerned teacher has asked government to take better measures including relocating them if it really wants them to do their jobs effectively.

“The state of Cameroun has decided to denigrate the noble teaching profession … As if this is not enough, the Anglophone section of the country is suffering from the ongoing crisis,” he writes, pleading for anonymity.

Government suspension of teachers who refused to work in the regional, he adds, is counterproductive as it cannot guarantee their security.

He says “they know what is to be done but are ignoring it and prefer to sacrifice the lives of teachers for their political ambitions.”

To him, “they should transfer the teachers in question to secure regions if they need effective services. It is preferable to be have a salary suspension than life suspension.”

The teacher’s plea comes after secondary education Minister, Nalova Lyonga published a list of over a thousand teachers threatening to sanction them for deserting their duty posts.

Mimi Mefo Info