By Njodzeka Kernyuy
When Suinyuy Ian decided to become a teacher nine years ago, he never imagined he was signing a pact with poverty and the countless challenges that plague the teaching sector in Cameroon.
On Monday, September 8, as students and pupils returned to school for the new academic year, Suinyuy was walking away from the classroom for the last time.
He wasn’t just taking a break—he was dusting off the chalk for good.
“Being a teacher in Cameroon is accepting a life of poverty until you die,” he says. Suinyuy started in 2016 with a salary of 50,000 CFA francs, which after nearly a decade had risen to just 80,000 CFA francs.
“I can’t boast of any achievement because I have been surviving, not living. This profession almost killed the dreams I had. I have been a victim of mockery from some people in society because of it. Someone mockingly referred to teachers as ‘things are hard.’ That’s how deep the situation is.”
From this modest income, he was still expected to pay rent, healthcare, food, and family expenses. How he managed, he says, is nothing short of a miracle.
“Teaching is so stressful, both physically and mentally; it weighs you down because it demands so much. Preparing lessons, delivering them, preparing examinations, correcting papers, and declaring results—it all entails a lot,” he explained.
For many, the only survival strategy has been offering private tutorial classes, but even that is far from reliable.
“Some parents do not pay, and it’s very inconvenient. I couldn’t imagine my 50-year-old self going to tutor a 10-year-old in their home. The majority of teachers who own bikes are okada [motorcycle taxi] riders; some are hawkers, while many are pushed into illegal activities just to meet their daily needs,” he lamented.
“Integrating into the public sector is another nightmare. Teachers have to pay bribes of up to 1.5 million FCFA just to get a job in public schools,” he added.
After enduring this for nearly a decade, Suinyuy made his decision. “So I quit! After nine solid years. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I had to take the bold step. I see hope in the future because I’m a fighter.”
The Bigger Picture: Teachers’ Struggles in Cameroon
The hardships Suinyuy faced are not unique to him—they mirror the reality of most teachers, particularly in the private sector.
For years, teachers have complained of being paid far below the minimum wage of 50,000 CFA francs, even as schools charge significant sums for tuition.
Even those in the public sector are not spared. Many often strike over unpaid salaries and delayed benefits.
An example is that of Leopold Bessiping, who only received his retirement allowance after contesting the presidential election and presenting his grievances before the Constitutional Council. His dues were paid only after this extraordinary step.
Suinyuy’s resignation, therefore, is not just a personal decision—it is a reflection of a broken system that continues to push dedicated teachers to the edge.