"Education Under Fire: The Precarious Return to School in Cameroon’s Conflict Zones"
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As schools in Cameroon are set to resume in less than a week, the situation remains precarious, particularly in the North-West and South-West regions. These areas have been plagued by ongoing violence between separatist groups and the military, leading to significant disruptions in education. The conflict has resulted in over 855,000 children being out of school, with many parents fearing for their children's safety due to the daily gunfire and attacks. The conflict has severely affected the educational landscape, with 90% of public primary schools and 77% of secondary schools remaining closed in these regions. The separatists have actively enforced school closures as part of their strategy to resist government control, resulting in schools being targeted and children being caught in the crossfire. Tragically, there have been numerous reports of children being killed in these violent encounters, which has instilled a deep fear among families regarding sending their children back t...