Cameroon officially launched the 2025–2026 academic year on Monday, September 8, with more than eight million primary and secondary school students resuming classes across the country.
In the capital, Yaoundé, the reopening was marked by an official ceremony followed by the start of lessons.
At Emana Bilingual High School, students and teachers gathered under the leadership of the school’s new principal, Emma Mojoko Evele, to begin the year.
The Minister of Secondary Education, Nalova Lyonga, led a supervisory tour of schools in the Mfoundi department to monitor preparations and ensure a smooth resumption.
She also directed regional delegates of her ministry to conduct similar inspections in their respective areas.
“The start of the school year is a crucial moment for the future of our children and for the country’s development,” Lyonga said during her visit.
The government has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that teaching resources are in place, classrooms are ready and administrative challenges are addressed ahead of the academic calendar.
For many families, the reopening marks the end of a long holiday season and the start of a busy year ahead. Schools across the nation are expected to continue implementing reforms aimed at improving quality of education, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure gaps remain a challenge.
The new school year comes at a time when authorities are working to strengthen teacher deployment, improve access to textbooks and foster bilingual education in both urban and remote communities.
With the first day now underway, attention will turn to ensuring that the momentum is maintained, as Cameroon seeks to deliver a stable and productive academic year for its millions of learners.
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