Apostolic Nuncio drums effective schooling in NW, SW.

His message, which comes days to the start of the 2024/2025 school year, was made public days ago. According to the Apostolic Nuncio, he was directed by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to call on stakeholders in the troubled Regions to allow children go to school.

The man of God particularly appealed to separatist fighters to allow children in the two English-speaking Regions go to school. 

The Apostolic Nuncio said Cameroon has become his home and his passion is to see peace thrive.

“Cameroon has become my home and my passion, where I temporary exhibit a feature Cameroonian children wish for which is peace,” Avelino Bettencourt said. 

The Apostolic Nuncio also highlighted that: “Our children are our future; children suffer the most when there is violence”. 

He was vehement on the advantages of peace and the advancement of education in every society.

The Pope’s representative to Cameroon noted that: “One child by the name Peter says living in peace feels good, just to wake up and go to school without fear. He was prevented from going to school because of violence”. 

Future of millions of children at risk 

Going by the Apostolic Nuncio, the future of millions of kids hangs in the balance if they are not given the chance to learn. 

“The futures of millions of children will be destroyed if they are prevented from going to school. Violence is never justified...violence comes from evil. Peace and only peace comes from God,” the Pope’s envoy said, adding that: “Violence is not justified- not on Sundays, not on Mondays or any other day of the week”.

Free children to build the future

Insisting on the need for every child to be in school, the Apostolic Nuncio underscored that: “This month of September, let this not prevent children from going to school. Let us free the children, let us allow the children to build the future”.

Boosting past efforts

Avelino Bettencourt indicated that his appeal is to further boost efforts from other stakeholders for effective schooling in the two English-speaking Regions of the country. 

“I add my voice to countless Cameroonians from all works of life- from North to South to East to West...not listing the voices of the Catholic Bishops of Cameroon, who work tirelessly to build the future,” he said.

Restating Pope Francis’ message to the population of Cameroon, he said the leader of the Catholic Church “reminds us that the mission of schools and teachers is to develop an understanding of all that is true, good and beautiful”.

Disturbing statistics

Revealing statistics on situation of children stopped from going to school due to conflicts, the Apostolic Nuncio quoted the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF, as putting the figures at 250 million kids worldwide.

He mentioned the World Bank as having indicated that over 17,500 children in Cameroon are prevented from attending school, primarily in the Regions of the North West, South West and the Far North.

To reverse the situation, he quoted the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela, who once said: “Educating all other children must be one of the most urgent priorities. We all know that education more than anything else improves our chances of building a better life”.

No justification for violence 

The Vatican representative to Cameroon also said there will never be any justification for violence. 

“Dear friends, violence is never justified. Only peace is the way to the future. This month of September, please let the children attend school and together let us work for peace,” the Apostolic Nuncio stated.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3219 of Wednesday September 04, 2024