The move is expected to boost the quality and standard of education in the country.
The Minister of Secondary Education, Nalova Lyonga has ordered the closure of five clandestine private secondary schools in Yaoundé. The member of government gave the order on Tuesday this week after touring several institutions in the capital city alongside her collaborators. The schools were closed down, per the ministry, due to the lack of proper authorization and failure to meet basic standards established by the Ministry of Secondary Education.
The action comes after some of the schools disregarded previous seal orders, prompting a more forceful intervention led by Minister Nalova Lyonga. “We have announced our visits several times but when we get there, schools are closed nobody to talk to, since these students have paid their fees, they must be in school and the school principals should take engagement to ensure that they put them in school.
These institutions were lacking necessary documents to establish and operate, posing a risk to the quality of education provided” The authorities’ decision to close the schools is believed to be a result of government’s commitment to upholding educational standards and ensuring that schools meet established criteria. The major significance about the latest closure is the fact that the closed schools had in October last year, received seal orders. It is believed that instead of complying with the orders that were given at the time, the school operators chose to disregard the directives and resume classes.
This act of defiance led to a second sanction, highlighting a determined stance by the Ministry to enforce compliance, per the ministry. Experts interviewed by The National Post say the closure raises questions about oversight of private education and the challenges in ensuring accountability. They say while the need for quality education is paramount, the government also has a responsibility to protect students from institutions that operate outside of legal frameworks.
The strong approach taken by the authorities serves as a warning to others who might be attempting to run clandestine schools, ensuring a clear pathway for these students to continue their education is paramount, the experts say. Before the closure of schools on Tuesday, Minister Nalova Lyonga visited Nkol Etol High School in Yaoundé on Monday 20th where she dismissed one of the authorities: Mohamadou Kingui Awa and replaced her with Jean Joel Olinga formerly the principal of Dibang High School in Nyong_et_ Kelle and also brought in Jean Bertin Bombi who took over from Olinga in the Dibang High School. The reasons for Awa’s dismissal remain unknown.
