Cameroon’s Teacher Travel Ban: A Violation of Human Rights and a Symptom of a Deeper Crisis

Reports indicate that the government has imposed a travel ban on teachers, particularly those employed by the state, deploying police officers at airports and borders to prevent their departure. Those who manage to bypass checkpoints often encounter harassment, discrimination, and extortion by airport officials demanding exorbitant bribes.

This practice not only violates fundamental human rights to freedom of movement but also underscores deeper issues within Cameroon's education sector. Despite being a signatory to international human rights conventions, the government has provided no justification for the travel ban, leading to arbitrary treatment of teachers as suspects rather than professionals.

The ban exposes the chronic underdevelopment and mismanagement of Cameroon's education system. The literacy rate, currently at 78.23%, has seen a significant decline according to the Human Development Index. Education quality has suffered due to inadequate infrastructure, outdated curricula, and underpaid, overworked, and demoralized teachers. Many earn below the poverty line, with frequent salary delays and lack of social security.

Facing these challenges, many teachers seek opportunities abroad, contributing to a brain drain detrimental to Cameroon's development. Instead of addressing root causes, the government employs coercive measures exacerbating the situation. The Cameroon Bar Association rightly denounces these actions as nonsensical and unacceptable, urging the government to respect teachers' rights and address underlying issues.

We echo these sentiments and call on the government to reverse its harmful policy. The international community, including human rights organizations and diplomatic missions, must monitor closely and pressure the government to comply with its obligations. Cameroon's teachers deserve better, as does the country's future.