The right to education is a basic human right laid down in key human rights covenants ratified by the government of Cameroon. Although the government has made some efforts to make education available and accessible, thousands of children in Cameroon
are far from enjoying the right to quality education.
On 11 February 2011, Cameroon ratified the African Youth Charter. Article 13(1) of the Charter states that: “Every young person shall have the right to education of good quality.”
Despite the government’s commitment on paper to provide quality education to all young people, the reality on the ground is different.
Classroom with no proper benches, Government School Barri, Mechum Division, North West Cameroon. Photo: © Civitas
In Government School Barri, a Primary ( Elementary) school in Menchum Valley, infrastructure is almost non-existent. The school, which is the responsibility of the Government Delegation of Basic Education in Wum, is made up of only two classrooms built with sun-dried bricks. The classrooms, which have no windows, chalkboards, benches or chairs and tables for both teachers and pupils, were constructed by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA). The government provided teachers.
Each classroom is shared by pupils in two different levels (grades) of education.
Children in class with no tables or benches, Government School Barri. Photo: © Civitas
Children in Class 3 (Third Grade) and Class 4 (Fourth Grade) occupy one classroom, facing opposite directions.
Those in Class 5 (Fifth Grade) and Class 6 (Sixth Grade) occupy the second classroom.
Children in Class 1 (Grade One) and Class 2 (Grade Two) have no classroom. They study under the shade of two thatched huts.
Government School Barri, Mechum Division, North West Cameroon. Photo: © Civitas
When it rains, children enrolled in Government School Barri cannot go to school because a river in the area where the school is located overflows and becomes too dangerous for both teachers and pupils to cross. If it rains while the kids are already in school, they are sent home because classrooms have no proper roofs to keep
out the rain.
The kids
lack text books, writing materials, tables and chairs.
The right to quality education is a basic right recognized by the government of Cameroon. This right should be guaranteed for all children in the country.
