Cameroon has been suffering from a civil war since 2017, which has weaponized education, denying hundreds of thousands their right to learn. Both government and separatist groups share blame for this crisis, with more than 700,000 students affected. Immediate actions are needed to designate schools as safe zones, invest in educational infrastructure, and support trauma recovery. Overall, education must not be sacrificed amidst warfare to protect future generations.
Since 2017, Cameroon has been embroiled in a brutal civil conflict that has weaponized education, resulting in the tragic deaths of countless individuals. This war has grievously denied hundreds of thousands of students their right to education. All parties involved must reassess this destructive choice, for the use of education as a warfare tactic leads to widespread suffering without yielding any true victors.
The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon began in October 2016 when lawyers in the Northwest and Southwest regions protested against the assignment of Francophone magistrates to English-speaking areas, highlighting their inability to understand English and Common Law. Teachers subsequently joined the protests against French-speaking educators being deployed to English-speaking classrooms, asserting that those teachers lacked a strong grasp of the English language and the Anglo-Saxon educational framework.
Instead of addressing these grievances, the government responded with violence, resulting in injuries and fatalities among protesters, as reported by the International Crisis Group and various media outlets. This heavy-handed response galvanized thousands of English speakers, including university students, to join the teachers in expressing their frustrations regarding the marginalization experienced by Anglophones. The violence prompted the emergence of separatist factions advocating for the independence of Ambazonia, the proposed state for the English-speaking regions.
The United Nations estimates that more than 700,000 students’ education has been severely disrupted by this crisis. The hopes of an entire generation hang in the balance, as both sides share the blame for the current educational plight. While separatist groups have enforced school boycotts, attacked educational institutions, and threatened students and teachers, the government has inadequately protected schools and, at times, employed excessive force in educational zones, perpetuating an environment of danger and instability.
In the Northwest and Southwest regions, children are faced with dire choices: attend school and risk violent repercussions from separatists, who equate education with resistance, or remain at home and encounter an uncertain future. A 2018/2019 survey revealed that only about ten percent of schools were operational, with numerous teachers fleeing the areas due to ongoing threats and violence. As of early 2025, safer parts of these regions have begun to reopen, but many educational centers remain non-functional due to continued violence.
The ongoing conflict has inflicted immeasurable human costs. I have personally experienced the devastation, losing my father—who triumphed against adversity to gain an education—in this senseless conflict. As someone who has thrived due to educational opportunities, I understand the transformative power of education and have founded the Jumbam Family Foundation to assist students impacted by the crisis in resuming their education amidst their struggles.
Our foundation provides scholarships to displaced students, helping them complete their high school education. In many cases, we have relocated students to safer regions, allowing them to find success in new environments while grappling with the emotional ramifications of their displacement. Local church groups and community organizations have initiated similar programs, but these efforts only touch a small fraction of those affected by the crisis.
It is essential for both the government and separatist factions to acknowledge that employing education as a weapon defeats their declared objectives. No legitimate pursuit of justice or unity can succeed if it entails sacrificing the futures of innocent children. Measures such as designating schools as peace zones, investing in school infrastructure, and creating comprehensive teacher training programs should be prioritized to avert further educational collapse.
Moreover, trauma-informed support services must be made available to both students and educators. The global community must recognize the educational crisis in Cameroon as a humanitarian emergency, with increased involvement and funding from entities such as the African Union and UNICEF. Regional partners like Nigeria and Ghana could offer invaluable technical support while grassroots organizations should be encouraged to expand their operations in the affected areas.
The enduring impact of this war will be evident not only in the lives lost but also in the dreams postponed and potential unfulfilled. It is imperative that all parties concede that sacrificing an entire generation’s future for political discord is no longer acceptable, as education should never be compromised in times of conflict.
In summary, the ongoing civil war in Cameroon has tragically weaponized education, resulting in severe disruptions to the learning of over 700,000 students. Both separatist groups and the government bear responsibility for this crisis. Immediate intervention with a focus on restoring safe educational environments, investing in infrastructure, and providing mental health support is crucial. For the sake of future generations, it is vital that education is preserved as a foundation for unity rather than conflict.
Original Source: allafrica.com
