The 2015/2016 academic year kicked off in the port city of Douala yesterday, September 7, 2015, in grand style with teachers and pupils (primary and secondary) more committed to confront the year with tact.

The Regional Delegate of Secondary Education for Littoral, Emile Yomkil, who toured six schools in the public and private sectors, was satisfied with the attendance of both pupils and teachers. He instructed school heads to avoid overcrowding at entrances and employ appropriate security measures, including metal detectors.

When Cameroon Tribune reporters arrived in Government Bilingual High School Deido, Douala, the campus was filled with over 7,000 students and teachers who taught their first lessons during the first period that ran from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.

In 3 E3, Mrs Nathalie Tchoumegni taught over 50 students Environmental Studies. The Principal, Pascal Bias, said lessons effectively began, disclosing that a staff meeting held a week earlier to put everything in place. “This morning, we hoisted the flag and sang the National Anthem, instructed the students on conduct on campus and the security measures taken to safeguard their stay in school,” Pascal Bias narrated.

The situation was the same in Government Bilingual High School, New Bell, Douala, where the Principal, Eboa Thamar, attested that the attendance was good.

“Some 98 per cent of teachers were present, compared to 95 per cent of students. This is because some parents are still to acquire their children’s school needs. We gave Form One students some advice and showed them round the school while old students were told to work harder and to take care of the younger ones, especially at this trying moment in the country,” she explained.

James Dada Oruwa, who taught Network and Mother Board in Computer Sciences, and Abubakar, who counselled students on how to start and successfully complete the school year, both affirmed the enthusiasm of students and predicted they will do better.