Parents, Beware of Clandestine Schools!

The 2013-2014 academic year will soon kick off. One week to the official reopening, parents are busy looking for schools to register their kids. It is also time for clandestine schools to make brisk business.

Marie Louise Onguene, a parent in Yaounde is confused. She says she is not sure of which school to register her child especially as there is no government primary school in her neighbourhood. She is forced to register her child in a private school in the area because she wants him to go to school. Even though government is making efforts to fight against clandestine schools in the country, there are schools that crop up every year. During the 2012-2013 academic year, some 540 schools were closed down in the country. What is the cause for worry is that even in spite of government's action, there are still schools operating which are not in conformity with the law.

In order to ensure that schools respect the law, officials of the Ministry of Basic Education will carry out an operation to close down clandestine schools in the days ahead. The Director of Private Basic Education in the Ministry of Basic Education, Sally Maïriga said the operation is yet to begin because there is disorder in the manner in which clandestine schools are being closed down in the regions. He said that it is the Minister of Basic Education who gives the decision for schools to be closed down.

According to him, some proprietors of schools assault control teams each time the latter attempt to close down clandestine schools. As a result, measures should be taken to ensure the security of control teams on the field. He however said when a school is not in conformity with the law, it is closed down and the proprietor is given 15 days to regularise his situation after which the school can be opened. The list of clandestine schools to be closed down nest academic year will be made public in the days ahead.