Primary, nursery and secondary school children began the new academic year throughout the national territory yesterday. For some, it was a happy reunion of old friends while for others it was an occasion to meet new friends. In Yaounde the doors of nearly all the schools were open as early as 7:00 a.m. At the Government Bilingual Practising School in Yaounde the atmosphere was calm. The campus was busy with some students checking their names on the lists pasted on the notice board while classes were also going on. At the main entrance into the school, were some parents who were concerned about the registration of their children; one of the parents, Joseph Abia said he came to register his son into form four. He explained that he decided to register his child’s school because of the high cost of school fees in the private schools.
Registration was also an opportunity for brisk business. Some traders sell ready made uniforms of all sizes and badges for the students who had not yet bought theirs for this year. One of the traders, Adeline Josephine Adegono said she sells the uniforms to earn a living. She buys them from tailors in town and sells at the school. The Principal of the school, George Niba Suh, said school began at 8:00 a.m. with the assembly and classes began shortly after for the examination classes. He said about 1000 students were present for the opening and more were still registering. He said the school is expecting to host about 4500 student this year. In the Upper Sixth block, all classes were full of students even though some did not have teachers. Ruben Banyamnga, physics teacher in terminal c said the class list is not yet available but most of t he students are already present. The Principal said the lower sixth classes will begin in the days ahead as their construction work for their classrooms are being completed.
The story was the same at the Central Government English Primary School Group 1. The Headmaster, Ngane Ekane said the turnout was encouraging this year. A total of 112 children (48 boys and 74 girls) were present at the opening. He said all teachers were present and classes begun in all classes yesterday without any major hitches. Next door in Group II, the Headmaster of the school, Tima Temah said about 125 children came early yesterday and more were still coming. The Headmistress of the Central Government Bilingual Practising Nursery School Group 1, Cecilia Nkabyo, said few parents have brought their children for admission while some are still planning to bring their children. She however said all teachers are present and are prepared to teach.
