A secondary school student of the College of Hopes, Arts and Science (COHAS), found in Bepanda – Douala was flogged to death by her teacher early Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

Unable to withstand the beatings, Vera Mbong collapsed. She was only rushed to the hospital when her classmates rioted.

While at the Deido District hospital, doctors declared Vera was dead.

No clear explanation was given on what must have transpired, pushing the teacher who is allegedly in custody to beat the student to death.

A student who gave the name of the teacher as Mr. Francis disclosed that ‘He is fond of beating students as if they were not humans’.

The school has not made any declarations.

This incident happened exactly one year after the Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga banned corporal punishment in schools across the country- Secondary Education Minister prohibits corporal punishment in schools – Cameroon News Agency

Source: Cameroon News Agency

A-ensonga Hearts, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has presented 85 dual desks to the Amoyaama Primary School at Balungu in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region.

The gesture, which was part of the NGO’s ‘Furniture Project,’ aimed to supply furniture to deprived schools in rural communities to complement government’s efforts in education.

Ms Kenndicta A-ensonga Ajene, Founder and Executive Director of the NGO, at a ceremony to present the furniture, said Amoyaama Primary School was not the first beneficiary of her outfit and mentioned Ayopia Primary School which also benefited a borehole and educational materials.

‘We also supplied furniture to the Gorigo Primary in the Talensi District, constructed boreholes for the Kunkua and Gowrie D/A Primary and Junior High Schools both in the Bongo District,’ she said.

She said management of A-ensonga Hearts was concerned about the furniture deficit in basic schools, especially in rural areas, which she noted negatively affected teaching and learning ou
tcomes.

‘I just could not comprehend how none of the pupils from Kindergarten to Primary six, had no furniture to sit on. So, I quickly mobilized resources from my friends and members of the public to support the school,’ the Founder said.

Ms Ajene said through their contributions, the NGO was able to procure furniture not only for the Amoyaama Primary, but also the Father Lebel Memorial Roman Catholic Primary School at Lungu all at an estimated cost of GHS25,000.00.

She said the ‘Furniture Project’ appealed to members of the public and her friends to contribute towards the project to ensure that other schools in rural communities without furniture, also benefited from the project.

She said education was critical in the lives of the pupils, and advised them to take their studies seriously, respect their parents and teachers, so that they could turn the fortunes of the community around in the future.

Madam Rebecca Ayamga, Headmistress of the school, said the school was faced with several challenges includ
ing lack of potable water, inadequate teachers, among others.

‘The situation of the school was shameful. Fortunately, through appeals for support, I contacted A-ensonga Hearts and by the grace of God, the Founder extended support to us,’ she said.

Madam Ayamga thanked Ms Ajene and her team for the gesture and appealed to her to consider some other challenges of the school to promote effective academic activities.

Mr Michael Atoripoi, the School Improvement Support Officer for the area, urged management and pupils to properly maintain the furniture for future generations to benefit.

A pupil, Ms Theresa Atansiba, expressed gratitude to A-ensonga Hearts on behalf of her colleagues for the furniture, and said as a result of sitting and laying on the floor, their school uniforms were often dirty and torn, and they also had very terrible handwritings.

‘I would like to also appeal to her on behalf of my colleagues for a borehole to solve our water situation,’ the pupil said.

Source: Ghana News Agency