The uncertainty surrounding the polls has created fear of possible unrest, with rumors of looming riots, looting, and road blockages spreading quickly.
As the country heads toward the 12 October 2025 presidential election, many parents are increasingly anxious about sending their children to school. The uncertainty surrounding the polls has created fear of possible unrest, with rumors of looming riots, looting, and road blockages spreading quickly.
The atmosphere has caused a noticeable hesitation among parents who are now reconsidering on whether or not to enroll their children in schools, particularly in urban centers and areas with a history of political tension. At the Ornel Bilingual Academic Complexe, one of the well-known private schools in Yaounde, several families have postponed enrolment despite the start of the school year. “I cannot risk sending my daughter to school now,” says Mrs. Amina Ngassa, a mother of two. “If unrest breaks out, who will protect her? Until I see guarantees from authorities, we will wait,” she added. Her concerns are echoed by other parents.
Mr. Jean Taku, whose son is due to begin Form One this academic year, admitted that he feels safer holding back. “Every time elections come, rumors spread that roads will be blocked, that buses could be attacked, that schools might even become targets. I’d rather keep him home and safe than regret later.” These fears are not without precedent. In recent years, particularly in the English-speaking North West and South West regions, separatist activity and school boycotts led to prolonged closures of institutions. Armed groups ordered populations to stay indoors, imposed curfews, and in some cases directly attacked schools.
Such memories remain vivid in the minds of parents, making them wary of exposing their children to potential danger. Administrators at Ornel Bilingual Academic Complexe insist they are taking security seriously. They point to measures such as reinforcing school gates, hiring additional guards, and maintaining communication with local authorities.
Yet for many parents, these efforts are not enough. “We hear about measures, but we don’t see much on the ground,” one father remarked after visiting the school premises. As the 12 October election draws closer, the lingering hesitation among parents threatens to affect enrolment figures nationwide.
If families continue to hold back, thousands of children may miss the beginning of the academic year, adding yet another layer of strain to Cameroon’s already fragile educational system.
