Boko-Haram ‘empties’ Far North classrooms

Three weeks after schools effectively resumed in Cameroon for the 2014/2015 academic year, thousands of students are still to begin classes in some villages and towns in the Far North Region, affected by the violent activities of the Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

The doors of most schools are still closed in the crisis zone, as students and teachers are yet to appear from their hideouts to commence classes. Most schools affected are found in the Mayo–Sava Division of the Far North Region, which is the area most affected by the crisis.

At Government High School Limani, a village close to the border with Nigeria, only 80 students have returned to school, out of a total of 411 students expected; while only one teacher has summoned courage to appear on campus out of the 25 teachers assigned to the school.

In Kolofata, 169 students have answered present at the Government High School, since schools resumed, out of a total enrollment of 604 students, with only two of the 28 teachers seen on campus.

The situation is particularly bad in Kerawa, another border village where only eight students showed up from the 281 listed on the school registers with no teacher taking the risk of appearing on campus.

The Government Technical School in Kolofata has registered the highest turnout as up to 21 of the 80 students braved the challenges to attend classes. However, teachers of the school preferred to stay aloof and only one has answered present, so far.

Most of the primary schools are closed and a very insignificant number of students and pupils were spotted on some campuses since September 8. It is difficult to get statistics in most schools in the area as some villages have been occupied by the terrorists, making such zones very dangerous to visit.

To contain the situation, the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of the Mayo–Sava Division, Babila Akaou, said last Wednesday that the situation is gradually coming under control. He said, with the determined forces on the ground and the collaboration of the population, everything will soon return to normal and the displaced persons will go back to their homes.

During a meeting on October 2, in Mora, chaired by the SDO, administrative authorities, religious leaders, traditional authorities, members of the civil society and other members of the communities, discussed ways of sensitising the population on the pertinent need for students, pupils and teachers who have fled from the crisis zones to return and effectively resume classes.

It was suggested that special bonuses of encouragement be given to teachers assigned to these areas as motivation to resume work, because some teachers argued during the meeting that most of those assigned to the area are non–salaried teachers still pursuing administrative procedures for that purpose. The SDO was also asked to help precipitate the procedure.

Another suggestion was for Government to give “back to home” bonuses to parents, depending on the size of their families, to encourage them to return home as soon as security is restored. While principals and head teachers were told to call their teachers personally to reassure them of their security if they return to their duty posts. They were also told to think of possibilities of accommodating teachers.

“I think three weeks is not much time for us to catch up, if we organise classes for these students on weekends,” the SDO told reporters after the meeting.

Participants also talked about the situation of displaced persons and refugees in the Division and the situation of traditional rulers, some who have fled their villages into safety in Mora and other neighbouring towns.

The traditional leaders requested that Government should provide security officers to guard chiefs and ensure their security.