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Some students of the University of Buea, UB, in the restive South West region have described President Paul Biya’s reduction of learning hours to increase attendance during AFCON matches as unrealistic and counterproductive.
In a series of interviews some, said, such a decision is not needed in a region burdened by war. To some, the move shows the ruling class cares less about the future of the youth.
“ To be honest, the government’s decision has yet again, indicated that the leaders are not truthful to the future of the Cameroonian youths as they claim,” a student in the Department of Management said.
Another student told MMI that the decision to cut student’s learning hours especially in conflict stricken areas, “is unreasonable, given that the Anglophone regions have fallen back in the Cameroon educational calendar.
“We all can agree that any chance we have in North West and South West regions to study, under no justifications should anyone, not even the President, if he cares, alter it”.
Another student questioned if: “The University of Buea exams slated for January 18 has been jeopardized by the so called decision to boost AFCON matches attendance. What is important, The AFCON or our future through education?”.
A Phycology student noted that, “the government knows that students and teachers braving the odds to either study or teach have for the past five years been caught in the separatists drag net, with many losing their lives in the process”.
Match Attendance
Some of those we accosted said, the government is void of strategies to achieve what it is aiming to boost turnout in stadiums hosting AFCON matches.
According to other sources, slashing school and working hours is one thing, but ensuring that the workers and students massively troop into stadiums is a completely different endeavor.
One of the students and football lover, Francis, noted that “ the government has taken a decision to instigate stadium influx, but they did not think of the fact that just closing work and school early is not a guarantee that all supposed stakeholders will turnout in the pitches as the decision speculates”.
Another interviewee revealed that the government must take into account, the lives of its supposed citizens in the war-torn Anglophone regions. Some said government should desist from “forcefully” pushing citizens into difficult situations.
“The Separatists fighters have been threatening the lives of AFCON participants at the Limbe Ngeme Stadium as well as visitors and dwellers in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon,” of the students interviewed lamented.
