By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Ahead of the 2026/2027 academic year, the Ministry of Secondary Education (MINESEC) has ordered the immediate closure of 105 illegal lay private secondary schools across Cameroon.
The closures were carried out under Article 24 of Law No. 2024/022 of July 22, 2004, and Articles 31 and 32 of Decree No. 2008/3043/PM of December 2008.
Geographically, the crackdown hit the Littoral Region hardest with 52 closures, followed by the Centre Region with 13 schools. Both the Southwest and West Regions saw 11 schools shut down each, while five schools were affected in the Northwest Region, four in the South Region, and two in the Adamawa Region.
While Minister Nalova Lyonga has pledged to clean up the secondary education system, observers continue to question why why illegal schools routinely resurface year after year despite recurring bans.
Critics however have point to lax follow-up mechanisms, enforcement gaps, and systemic corruption, accusing field officers responsible for implementing ministerial directives of turning a blind eye.
Stakeholders are urging authorities to ensure a safe educational environment and to help students become responsible citizens.
