Pupils and students effectively started classes nationwide on January 5, 2015 after end-of-year festivities.

As early as 7:30 a.m. on Monday January 5, 2015, the country’s national anthem was being sung in various school premises nationwide as pupils and students gathered during the first morning assembly to begin the second and most decisive term in the 2014/2015 academic calendar.

Immediately after principals and head teachers welcomed the student body back to school after celebrations marking Christmas and the New Year, it was time for serious business as teachers were on-hand with their lesson notes to effectively begin classes for the term which is said to be mixed with a lot of extra-curricular activities.

As early as 6:30 a.m., pupils and students in school uniforms were seen along major roads in the capital city heading to their various school campuses.

Hence, the unusual traffic jam that seemed to have reduced along roads around school premises was being felt once again by other road users. Just like in other corners in Yaounde, school pupils in the Etoug-Ebe neighbourhood were not only seen on foot but also on motorbikes and other transportation means trying to reach their school premises on time.

Nelly E, a pupil in Yaounde, told Cameroon Tribune (CT) how happy she was to meet her friends after two weeks of holidays. With enthusiasm, Nelly and her mates entered their classroom to begin classes for the academic year.

Yesterday was an opportunity for the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Youssouf née Hadidja Alim to make a tour of some schools in and around Yaounde such as Government Primary School Olembe, Efoulan, as well as Private Primary School Marianne et Paul and Saint Joseph Primary School Mvog-Ada to see how effective the period was unfolding.

At the end of her visit, she appreciated the seriousness with which pupils and teachers have taken off the second term which is packed with Youth Day activities.

At the Government High School Biyem-Assi, Yaounde serenity reigned when Cameroon Tribune passed around the school premises. Not only were students massively present in their classrooms but were also attentively listening to lessons. Those who did not have appropriate hair styles were seen loitering outside the school premises. Before midday yesterday, Corine T, a Form Two Student at Mevick Bilingual Grammar School, Etoug-Ebe, Yaounde had already received lectures in the English Language.

Corine expressed determination to work hard this school term especially given that during morning devotion, the student body was warned about the term being decisive and not as long as the first term, with a lot of activities that will take them away from studies.

Pupils at the Parents National Educational Union (PNEU) School Yaounde were massively seen in their classrooms actively taking part in lessons. The head teacher of PNEU School, Edward Ewule Menyoli said there was no joke as all teachers were in place giving lessons on topics that had already been validated by the school administration.