Activities for the 2015/2016 academic year are officially over. It is that period when pupils and students, as well as teachers are away from school. Thus, today nationwide, schools will formally take leave for the third and longest holidays in the academic calendar.

But those who are still writing official examinations will effectively begin holidays when they drop down their examination pens.

During the week, most schools organised end-of-year special parties and graduation ceremonies to bid farewell and hand diplomas to those who have completed their study programmes in the institution. The week has been that of merrymaking to most pupils in nursery schools in the country as they witnessed the graduation ceremony of their friends.

Today, however, the set-up will be different amongst pupils and students as they receive their progress report cards. There are those who will certainly rejoice for having obtained promotion into the next class while others will lament due to poor performance that might cause them to repeat the class or be dismissed from the school.

Whatever the case, those in the academic community in the country are certainly sniffing some relief from the daily hustle and bustle of going to school each day, preparing lesson notes, as well as creating time for school assignments. That which is certain is that many students are bracing up for a splendid holiday period.

Although some pupils, mostly those in nursery schools and some private schools in the country have already taken holidays somewhere in or out of the country, those mostly in public schools are currently asking questions such as “where am I going to spend my holidays?”

While others are envisaging holidays abroad, some students hope to spend time helping their parents in house chores and other farm activities. Others, such as Labelle Ekanje, a pupil at PNEU Yaounde, who hopes to spend time learning some skills in singing and playing musical instruments.

However, a teacher in Yaounde, Mildred Aseh, says all will not be holidays for those who have been dismissed from a school or have to repeat a class. The holiday period will certainly be a moment for parents to organise holiday classes for such students.