By Charles Igwe
Amid the backdrop of Cameroon’s war-torn English-speaking regions, religious leaders have initiated a poignant campaign encouraging children to resume their education as the country prepares for the commencement of the 2023-2024 academic year on September 4.
Under the banner of “Stronger & Better Together- Back to School Message from Religious Leaders,” this campaign not only calls upon parents to overcome their fears and send their children to school but also implores the government to ensure a safe learning environment for the nation’s youth.
Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions have been engulfed in conflict since 2017, as separatist groups seek to establish a new nation called “Ambazonia.” Regrettably, education has emerged as one of the most tragic casualties of this protracted conflict.
Human Rights Watch, in a report titled “They Are Destroying Our Future: Armed Separatist Attacks on Students, Teachers, and Schools in Cameroon’s Anglophone Regions” published on December 15, 2021, documented a disturbing pattern of “systematic and widespread” attacks on schools. These attacks have resulted in the loss of life among students and educators, abductions, and the destruction of educational institutions.
According to the report, the cumulative effect of these assaults, combined with the deteriorating security situation, has led to widespread school closures, with approximately two out of every three schools in the Anglophone regions being shuttered. This unfortunate consequence has denied access to education for over 700,000 students, the report notes, and chronicles 268 abductions of students and education professionals since the conflict’s inception in 2017.
Clerics in these beleaguered regions are now passionately advocating for a change. They assert that denying children their fundamental right to education equates to depriving them of their future.
Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda, who also serves as the president of the Cameroon Bishops’ Conference, firmly believes that “children must go to school” and emphasized that it’s the only path to securing the future of both the children and the nation.
In a region notorious for separatist violence, Bishop George Nkuo of Kumbo passionately urged those advocating for a school boycott to reconsider. He underscored the importance of providing children with opportunities to return to their classrooms and pleaded for the cessation of violence to ensure their safe education.
Bishop Michael Bibi of Buea echoed these sentiments, stressing the Church’s role in fostering education for children. He emphasized that education is vital for personal growth and societal development, urging parents to create a conducive environment for learning.
Rev. Dr. Charlemagne Nditemeh, the Executive President of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, called for a “peaceful and enabling environment” for children to study, irrespective of differing opinions or grievances.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, Rev. Fonki Samuel, underscored the transformative power of education, imploring parents and the government to uphold children’s right to education. He also appealed to the government to consider offering free basic education, emphasizing its positive impact on the nation’s development.
As Cameroon’s academic year unfolds, these religious leaders fervently hope to rekindle the spirit of learning among children and pave the way for a brighter future amidst the ongoing challenges of conflict in the English-speaking regions.
