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Cameroon Reopens Schools Closed Due to COVID Spread

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   YAOUNDE - More than seven million Cameroon children and their teachers
   have returned to schools for the first time since their institutions
   were closed to stop the spread of COVID-19, seven months ago. The
   government of the central African state says it has been able to
   considerably reduce the spread of the disease that has been officially
   confirmed in more than 20,000 people with 420 deaths. Respect of
   COVID-19 barrier measures is imperative in all schools.

   The oldest student reads rules and regulations to be respected at
   Government Bilingual High School Essos in Cameroon's capital Yaoundé.
   The school's administration reports that 1,000 students answered
   present on day one of the 2020/2021 school year. Among them is
   13-year-old form two student Treasure Monyuy. Monyuy says students have
   new guidelines to follow.

   "They [teachers] say that we have to wear our masks. We have to be
   washing our hands every time. My friends are happy to go to school. I
   am happy to go to school because I have been in the house for a long
   time and I am also happy to see my friend," saidMonyuy.

   The Cameroon ministries of Basic and Secondary Education report that at
   least seven million children attended classes all over the country.
   Donald Abega, a pedagogic inspector says he and his peers were deployed
   to towns and villages to educate students and teachers about following
   COVID-19 prevention measures. He spoke via telephone from the northern
   town of Garoua.

   "We started already by having an in-service training on preventive
   measures and how to teach during the COVID times and also sharing
   materials online on how we can curb the virus in schools. Also, we have
   provided handwash stations and also sensitized the parents, so the
   parents need to get for the learners face masks while we in school
   provide handwashing stations as well as hand sanitizers," saidGaroua.

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