Prison school resumes classes

Some 17 minors in the Douala Central Prison situated in the New Bell neighbourhood happily resumed classes on September 10, 2015, in the presence of the representative of the Superintendent of the New Bell Prison and other officials. They are all pupils and students of the CHASOH Prison School, Douala.

Though coming three days after the official school reopening date, the children from nursery, secondary and high schools, joyfully received basic material including exercise books, pens and pencils from prison authorities, the Social Affairs Delegation and the President of the CHASOH charity.

On behalf of Prison Superintendent, the Bureau Head in charge of Discipline, Elong Epoh Guy Martial, said though incarcerated, minors should take advantage of the opportunity that is not given to all prisons by studying hard to make a difference.

“Everything is possible for those who want to succeed. Being in prison is not the end of the life. If you take your studies as serious as most free children do, you will make it with flying colours and the time spent in prison would not be said to have been wasted,” Elong Epoh Guy Martial pointed out.

The Director of CHASOH Prison School, Tagne Tapia, disclosed that students did very well last year, rating the overall performance at 90 per cent. One student passed the Francophone BEPC junior secondary certificate examination.

He assured pupils and students that though education in prison is not so formal, certificates obtained are recognised not only in Cameroon, but also around the world. Though liberty is not easy, she advised them to start building their future while by working hard to eventually pass certificate examinations.

On her part, the Service Head in charge of Social Action in the Douala Central Prison, Irmine Zobo Oloua, said though some of the rights of the inmates have been restricted, they still have the right to education; reason why they have to strive to be the best.