Far North: schools neglected as government preaches resumption gospel

Pupils in several schools in Cameroon’s Far North region remain neglected despite government’s much heralded school resumption for the ongoing academic year.

As the days go by, more institutions are being revealed lacking even the most basic of items needed for effective classes.

CES of Daram village located in the Moulvoudaye subdivision, Mayo Danay stands out as one of these institutions.

Despite the fact that the town is popular for trade, images show the CES school abandoned with pupils seating in makeshift structures on the ground.

Parents like authorities are accused of neglecting the welfare of their kids.

“I bought my notebooks from the small businesses that I carried out during the holidays. It allowed me to organize myself to prepare well for my return to school but we do not sit well in class…” says Dangwe Filbert, a pupil in the institution.

Despite its 8 years of existence, CES Daram cannot boast of Kore than one building reserved for the 3rd class.

Pupils of other classes are compelled to sit on the ground in makeshift sheds built by contributions received from parents.

Talking to the press, one of the teachers of the institution explained that what keeps him at his duty post is the love for his job as well as the interest of his pupils.

“I was assigned to this village to teach and I am training to do my duty which gives me the courage to stay here because these students have the will to attend” he explains.

However, he says, it is necessary for the state to intervene and ameliorate the situation “… even if it is necessary that [the school] remains in the open air, it is necessary to even get tables and benches.”

Despite the terrible conditions the pupils are forced to study in, many still walk several KMs to scramble for the few available seating spaces (cement blocks) and attend school daily.

With authorities and to an extent, parents turning a deaf ear to the pupils of the said schools, they are left with little hope and insufficient teachers to be pursue their lifelong goals.

Mimi Mefo Info