As the academic year begins in Cameroon, the Northwest and Southwest regions remain stalled due to separatist violence. For eight years, these predominantly Anglophone areas have faced a series of lockdowns, severely disrupting education and creating a climate of fear. Schools, once vibrant centers of learning, have been transformed into battlegrounds for conflicting interests, leaving students and teachers in a state of uncertainty.
The impact of these lockdowns extends beyond the classroom. During such periods, travel agencies often witness long queues as families attempt to escape to safer cities where they can resume their normal lives. The fear of violence and instability drives many to seek refuge, but not everyone can secure bus seats. Those who cannot often resort to alternative means of transport, risking being stranded or forced to pay exorbitant fares to escape the turmoil.
Children attending school in Dakar- Douala
Youth migration from rural areas which are often considered as "red zones" to urban centers like Bamenda, Limbe, and Buea is becoming increasingly common. Many young people, fearing military operations against separatists, are leaving their homes in search of safety and stability. This rural exodus does not only exacerbates the educational crisis but also places additional strain on urban resources, as cities struggle to accommodate the influx of displaced individuals.
Despite the ongoing turmoil, some schools that manage to operate during the crisis have seen their students excel in national examinations, such as the GCE O-Level and GCE A-Level. These achievements are commendable and reflect the resilience of both students and educators. However, the majority of youths in the Northwest and Southwest regions remain without access to education, resulting in increased risks of drug use, crime, and other social issues. This has also led.to a drastic drop in the number of school attending pupils and students. It is further complicated in the fact that a region like the North West, leader in remarkable GCE Results, have seen the region trailing others in recent GCE Results.
Traveling agencies receive precedented number of passengers as lockdown is announced by separatist leaders
The humanitarian situation is dire, with many residents facing limited access to food supplies. The ongoing lockdowns have not only disrupted education but have also led to skyrocketing prices of essential commodities. Families struggling to make ends meet often find themselves in a precarious position, caught between the need for safety and the harsh realities of daily survival especially as some families that initially depended on farm produce, have abandoned their farmlands.
Moreover, the implications of this crisis extend beyond immediate safety concerns. The psychological toll on children and families is profound, with many experiencing trauma from the violence and instability surrounding them. The educational system, meant to provide hope and a pathway to a brighter future, has been severely compromised, leaving an entire generation at risk of losing valuable opportunities.
This is not the first time such lockdowns have been imposed on the Northwest and Southwest regions by Pro Separatist leaders resident abroad. The cycle of violence and disruption has prompted a significant number of people to flee in search of freedom and security. The ongoing crisis has led to a growing sense of desperation among residents, who often cry out for basic needs amid the chaos.
Passengers who could not get buses cue up at Finance Junction in Bamenda to look for alternative means to leave Bamenda
As other parts of the country move forward with their academic and developmental goals, the plight of the Northwest and Southwest regions serves as a stark reminder of the severe impact of conflict on education and youth development. The future of these regions hangs in the balance, as the ongoing violence continues to undermine the potential of countless young individuals.
Several elites, stakeholders and humanitarian organisations have over recent times seek several ways to encourage and savage communities with supplies to support and ease back to school for students and parents by donating didactic materials, offering holiday jobs and scholarships to deserving students.
In conclusion, addressing this crisis requires urgent action from all stakeholders, including the government, community leaders, and international organizations. A concerted effort is needed to restore peace, ensure access to education, and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict. Only then can the Northwest and Southwest regions begin to heal and rebuild, paving the way for a brighter future for their youth.
As the world awaits this, even members of the diplomatic corp agree that barring students and pupils from going to school, forcing residents to stay at home for weeks are not only unable acceptable, they're also barbaric.
By Munya Charles Babila
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