Cameroons Minister of Basic Education shuts down 722 schools prior to new academic year

A total of 722 primary schools have been shut down, according to a decision signed by the Minister of Basic Education, Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa.

The cabinet decision comes just weeks before the commencement of the 2024/2025 school year in Cameroon.

“The following basic private education establishments shall be closed with effect from the date of this decision. This covers a total of 722 private education schools around the country,” the decision reads in part.

The affected schools, according to the Minister, were operating illegally. “The 722 schools should be closed down because they do not have documents which authorize them to establish and operate,” it added. Most of these schools are found in the Adamawa, Centre, East, Littoral, West, and South Regions. The Littoral Region tops the list with 317 clandestine schools closed.

The West Region comes second with 206, followed by the Centre with 115 private clandestine schools. The East Region is fourth with 33 schools, the South Region is fifth with 31 schools, and Adamawa has 16. At the start of the 2022-2023 school year, 326 schools were closed. The sharp increase in recent years raises questions about the government’s efficiency in checks and coordination. Schools are springing up in every neighborhood in the country with doubtful legal status.

ccording to Cameroonian law, to create a primary school, a promoter must have at least a baccalaureate and provide, among other things, a certificate of ownership of the land on which the school is to be built, foundation studies for the future buildings, a building permit, a list of available teaching materials, and proof of available funds equivalent to three months’ staff salaries.

While calling on promoters to comply with the regulations in force, the Minister has instructed regional and divisional delegates to ensure the strict implementation of the ministerial order.