The current ban on holiday classes forbids the teaching of new lessons, encouraging leisure and rest during vacation.

Anyone visiting schools in Douala during this summer vacation might be tempted to think that early admissions are underway ahead of the 2016-2017 school year. It has often been the situation in the city that at the beginning of July, many private schools organise holiday classes. Cameroon Tribune found out that instead of the normal revision of school work for repeaters as recommended by the authorities, most schools focus on dishing out new lessons to those promoted to other classes.

It was as a result of this practice, which discriminates against pupils from poor backgrounds, that the authorities banned holiday classes in the past. Though the ban is still in force, proprietors of many private schools still allow holiday classes to hold in the their institutions. A teacher in one of the private schools in Bonapriso, Douala, said they do so for a minimal tuition of 10,000 FCFA a month for each child. “We want school children to rest, relax and be refreshed for the next school year,” an official in the Wouri Divisional Delegation of Basic Education in Bonanjo explained.

One of the organisers of the classes, who opted to remain anonymous, explained that such classes are an excellent way to get much-needed comprehensive revision before the start of the school year. “During holidays, we make learning enjoyable, which helps students to love learning and become self-motivated.” A parent, Julie T, welcomed the opportunity to enable her children learn new lessons for classes to which they have promoted as a way of putting them ahead of others academically. Another woman encouraged any opportunity - be it holiday classes or leisure activities – that keeps her children busy.