Three days before the start of the school year in Cameroon, several threats weigh on the educational community and increase risks for students, teachers, and even parents.
Less than 72 hours separate students from the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The clock is ticking. Preparations are in their final moments. Despite the high costs, parents are preparing the essentials for their children: notebooks, books, school bags, uniforms, required fees, food products… School administrators ensure a clean, pleasant environment. They create schedules. Assign teachers. Everything is done for a smooth start on September 7, 2026.
But the security environment fuels uncertainties. In crisis regions, the threat creates fear. In the Far North, the armed groups Boko Haram continue to attack. They spread death. Kidnap children, youth, and adults. In the North-West and South-West, separatist armed groups do not give up hostilities. They have not completely abandoned the plan to prevent children from going to school.
After issuing a lockdown order during the school start period, some have reconsidered. They recognize, somewhat late, the importance of education for their children and the need to let them receive instruction like other children in the country. However, the backtracking does not reassure. Gunfire has been heard in the area recently. The school start will be under high security.
In the major cities of these three regions and the other seven, another risk looms: violence against children. It takes many forms: kidnapping, trafficking, rape, abuse, assaults, murder… Very young children, teenagers, and youth are exposed. No space is fully safe anymore. Even schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods no longer inspire the trust and serenity of the past. One must keep a watchful eye. And that’s not all.
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Weather forecasts are also not reassuring. In the next three months, torrential rains may cause floods and landslides. In the northern regions, some areas may be more affected than others. Authorities are taking measures to prevent classroom flooding. The volume of runoff water during heavy rains, which can carry away children, must be considered everywhere. Not to mention the health risks due to rain and strong winds.
Finally, violence and moral decay in schools are not resolved. They were just on vacation. These two phenomena will also return if the fight measures are not strengthened. This involves dismantling drug trafficking and psychotropic product distribution networks. It also includes quarantining users and dealers, ongoing student awareness, and promoting ethics, morality, and civics.
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