Cameroon is preparing for the start of the 2025-2026 academic year on 8 September, amid familiar challenges for both families and the education system.
As parents scramble to cover tuition fees, purchase school supplies, and secure uniforms for classes and sports, the government is taking steps to ensure schools meet legal and operational standards.
In a decisive move, Pauline Nalova Lyonga, Minister of Secondary Education, recently ordered the closure of 154 private secondary schools nationwide for failing to comply with legal requirements for establishment, opening, or expansion.
Such closures, though disruptive, are intended to protect families from unregulated institutions and ensure a safer learning environment.
Despite these efforts, financial pressures weigh heavily on households. Wealthier families often rely on banks to access loans or top up accounts to cover school-related expenses.
Meanwhile, less affluent families face greater difficulty, often unsure where to begin in preparing for the new school year.
Teacher Amos Mbam emphasises the importance of early planning: “Some parents forget that to jump higher, you need a running start. In other words, a school year must be prepared for months in advance.
For those of us with very limited incomes, I would advise that once the annual tuition is paid, families begin immediately preparing for the next school year. This way, they are never caught off guard when classes resume.”
Concerns over fraudulent or unregulated schools persist. Local resident Félicité K., a mother and seamstress, warns that some institutions continue to operate outside the law, collecting tuition and official exam documents before disappearing.
“I commend the ministries for closing illegal schools before classes start.
It prevents us from paying twice for the same education. Yet some schools still slip through the cracks. Why does this happen every year—due to impunity or protection for these promoters? Who is behind this network?” she asked.
As Cameroon readies for the ringing of school bells in early September, parents and authorities alike face a familiar balancing act: safeguarding educational quality while navigating financial strain and systemic gaps.
The upcoming school year promises both opportunity and challenge, underscoring the need for vigilance, planning, and transparency across the sector.
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