Cameroon: Private Schools Institute High Pay Cuts to Maintain Staff as COVID-19 Pandemic Rages on

Private schools in Cameroon were ordered by the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute to pay teachers’ salaries for the month of May despite the partial lockdown that ensued.

Several weeks later, teachers of these institutions say their proprietors are yet to carry out government’s instructions.

Some have announced pay cuts for members of staff as a way to cope with the economic challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

One of these institutions is the Star Bilingual Nursery and Primary School in Bonaberi, Douala. Despite being forced to end classes like other schools on March 17th, the School’s administration says it has resolved to pay complete salaries for the month of March.

This will however not be the case for subsequent months. For the first month after that (April) workers will receive 50% of their pay, 40% for the next month (May) and 35% for April.

Understanding the need for these austerity measures, some members of staff say they still feel the institution aims at exploiting them.

“Even guards who are not on technical leave too could receive less than 20.000 francs (about 33 US Dollars) as salary” a disgruntled worker states.

To enable them cope with the pressure, some Private School owners have called on government to help them compensate staff during this trying period.

With over 2,000 positive COVID-19 cases in Cameroon, primary and secondary schools may not resume classes anytime soon.

Mimi Mefo Info

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