Controversy Over Banned Elementary Schools

A recent text signed by the Minister of Basic Education prohibiting the functioning of certain schools under her control seems to be creating controversy between founders of these schools and the Ministry of Basic Education.

A tour of some of these schools in the Centre Region yesterday, August 28 indicates that some of the founders are ready for a tussle with whomever that will attempt to close down their institution given that they have taken all the necessary steps to function and do not know why their institutions still feature amongst those operating in illegality.

At "Le Petit Kevin" Nursery and Primary school, the Founder, Simon-Pierre Njami Bebo was seen ensuring the cleaning-up of the school premises ahead of school reopening. When asked if he was not aware of the ministerial text prohibiting the functioning of his school because he lacked the document which permits him to create and open a nursery and primary school in the country, Njami Bebo immediately presented a receipt signed by an authority at the Ministry of Basic Education in 2009, indicating that he had deposited an application to create and open a private basic education institution.

He also presented another document titled "Attestation d' Adhesion" given him to testify that he had met up with all the requirements needed to create and open a private basic institution. The founder of "Le Petit Kevin" also brandished receipts on the various dates his documents left the Centre Regional Delegation of Basic Education to the Ministry of Basic Education. Simon-Pierre Njami said with all these documents, the Ministry of Basic Education keeps tagging his school as those functioning in illegality. "I am tired of bribing authorities at the Ministry of Basic Education, I am waiting for the person who will attempt to close my school" Simon-Pierre Njami noted.

Another school proprietor, Joseph Ngwana said he has all the documents needed to operate and that an error which has been admitted by the inspector charged with following up his file will be rectified in the days ahead. On his part, Michael-William Bitschong owner of another school banned says a technical error has been committed because for 10 years now he has been operating and working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Basic Education.