Douala I: Wouri SDO revokes school closure decision,orders immediate resumption

After a no-school day in communal Nursery schools at Douala I municipality Tuesday March 2nd 2021, the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri division has ordered for an immediate reopening of all nursery schools shutdown in respect of orders of the Mayor of Douala I council.

In a decision signed Tuesday March 2nd 2021 by the SDO of Wouri, Benjamin Mboutou says ” In conformity with article 51(3) of Law No 2019/024 of December 24th 2019 of territorial administration and in relation to a service note number 004/NS/2021/CAD 1st /CAB calling for the closure of nursery schools, the mayor of Douala 1 has no competence to close schools “

The SDO; Benjamin Mboutou therefore calls on the divisional officer of Douala 1, the mayor of Douala 1 council, the inspector of basic education and the divisional delegate of basic education to ensure effective school resumption in Douala 1.

Monday March 1st 2021, the mayor of Douala 1 signed a service note calling on all communal Nursery schools in the sub division to shutdown for a week. Lengue Malapa in the note explained that the decision was to permit the council disinfect classrooms and schools and thereby limit the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Going by the note of the mayor,the schools were to resume on Monday March 8, 2021 in a seemingly COVID 19 free schools.

The cancellation of the decision of the mayor by the SDO of Wouri, commentators say depicts perpetual conflict of leadership between local elected administrators put in place to strengthen decentralisation and appointed officials that are answerable to those who appointed them in Yaounde.

Parents of these nursery schools kids are in a state of confusion either to respect the decision of the mayor or that of the SDO of Wouri.

Wednesday March 3rd 2021 will determine who between the two administrators has been respected by parents and school officials in Douala 1.


Mbatho Ntan.