2016/2017 School Year:

22 Secondary Schools Banned In Littoral

The decision by the Minister of Secondary Education was taken on August 12, 2016.

Some 22 private secondary schools in the Littoral Region will not open their doors for the 2016/2017 academic year. Going by a communiqué from the Ministry of Secondary Education on August 12, 2016, the ban is as a result of non-respect of procedures for the creation and opening of private schools. Eleven of the clandestine schools are located in Moungo Division, with the Fiko Sub-division alone hosting seven; while 10 are in Wouri and one in Nkam Divisions.

Meanwhile, the fight against clandestine schools in the region is said to be yielding good fruit as the number reduced from 45 in 2014 to 22 in 2016. Though the routine publication of the list of clandestine schools came earlier this year, some recalcitrant schools will still go operational as it used to be the case. They will lure parents to register their children by offering to reduce tuition fees. Some will even go as far as registering students for State examinations under the banner of legal private schools. Wise parents who have already paid portions of fees for next academic year have no choice but to recover their money, else their children will study in hide and seek conditions.

Operating legally is what most schools would love to do, but they blame their non-conformity on huge financial engagements and slow administrative procedures. Most proprietors would like to see simplified procedures put in place, including a reduction in financial commitments, given that some have in the past lost money to conmen in the Ministry of Secondary Education. It worth noting that 73 schools were banned in seven regions, with the Littoral with the highest number. 

Yaboa Ndula MUNTEH       

List of Banned Schools