We hold lectures under trees for fear of snakes while in class

The parents and teachers of Government Bilingual High school Mombo in the littoral region are pleading with the government to give them a new school building or renovate the old one.

“Sometimes I’m scared of sending my children to school because my child comes home completely wet by rain. it is worst during the rainy seasons and this causes health problems which makes us spend a lot of money. I cannot understand why a government school will be facing something this serious and it bothers no government authority,” Amina Ntafack, a parent complains.

Other parents complain about the fact that students sometimes have to learn under trees.

“Sometimes we are forced to teach the students under a tree because it is safer than in a class which is sometimes scary to students with leaking roof and the fear of wild animals,” Rosine, a teacher in the school says.

“We have few teachers sent by the government and the classrooms are either small or damaged with over 600 students sometimes. The Parents Teachers Association cannot handle everything,” the institution’s principal laments.

The principal further says due to the poor condition of the school, many parents are forced to send their children to different schools in Douala. He says sometimes there is a certain course compulsory to all students so most often the classes are small and sitting under trees is the best alternative.

The head of PTA is also asking parents to be understanding and has assured them things will get better and the government will see into the situation soon.
“We cannot really promise what is not ours to give but I assure you our messages and pleas have reached the higher authorities and they will sure meet our needs. I know your children go through tough learning but they are strong kids and will overcome,” the head of PTA at Govenment Bilingual High School Mombo says.

The principal says the roofs are dilapidated and have been that way for years and almost all the zincs have holes. During the rainy season students sometimes are asked to stay home because they cannot sit in a class with a leaking roof or under a tree during examination.