By Tata Mbunwe
Secondary Education Minister Prof. Nalova Lyonga has ordered a disciplinary board to convene on Monday, October 26, to hear the suspected ringleaders of Wednesday’s riot at Government Bilingual Technical High School (GBTHS) Nsam, Yaounde, while rescheduling school resumption to Wednesday, October 28.
In a press release issued Friday, October 23, the Minister said the gravity of the acts committed during the riot necessitated the disciplinary proceedings before the resumption of classes, which were initially scheduled to resume on Monday.
The riot erupted on Wednesday, October 21, when irate students vandalised the school, the staff room, and the principal’s office. The unrest followed the death of their schoolmate, Feudjo Kitio Junior, in a bike accident, and injuries to other students who were allegedly sent home over unkempt hair. Authorities have denied sending any students away from school.
Prof. Nalova Lyonga chaired a crisis meeting at the school on Thursday as classes remained suspended. She regretted the incident and questioned why a student who isn’t a trained bike rider would carry three people on a bike.
According to the Minister’s press release, Monday, October 26, will be devoted exclusively to the disciplinary board, while classes will resume on Wednesday, October 28, with a solemn opening ceremony at the school premises. A solemn lecture will precede the resumption, and all classes will begin at 12 noon.
Prof Nalova saluted the Divisional Officer of Yaoundé III and what she saw as the efficiency of security forces during the crisis.
Anti-riot police who had been deployed to contain the students during the riot were met with stones and other projectiles. Amateur videos captured on the school campus showed officers throwing back stones at students during the riot.
MMI News cannot confirm if any arrests were made during the riot.