Beyond campaign rhetoric, the stark figures show that the country’s education system struggles with inequality, overcrowding, poor funding, and a widening digital divide. For millions of Cameroonian children, the question is no longer about what they can achieve in school but whether they will even complete it.
Cameroon has made progress in expanding access to education since the early 2000s, but gaps remain. According to the World Bank’s Global Economy database, the primary school completion rate in 2023 was just 71.08 percent, meaning nearly three in ten children never finish the first stage of schooling. Secondary education is even more constrained, with enrolment hovering at 44.39 percent of eligible learners. For rural families, girls in particular, the costs of uniforms, books, and distance to schools often prove insurmountable barriers.
The pressure of numbers is eroding quality. Cameroon’s pupil–teacher ratio in primary schools stands at 44.8 pupils per teacher, according to IndexMundi. In some rural areas, classes regularly exceed 70 pupils, with one teacher struggling to manage overcrowded classrooms, limited textbooks, and inadequate facilities. Overworked teachers face stagnant wages, and many are forced into the informal tutoring economy to supplement their income.
Literacy rates show both progress and persisting inequities. The adult literacy rate is 78.23 percent, while youth literacy (ages 15–24) reaches 86.24 percent, data from TheGlobalEconomy.com indicates. These numbers suggest gains among younger generations, yet the gaps between men and women, and between urban and rural communities, remain wide. Millions of adults particularly women in rural areas are excluded from the literacy gains needed to fully participate in the economy and civic life.
Public investment in education remains inadequate. Cameroon allocated 13.08 percent of government expenditure to education in 2023, an increase from the previous year but still insufficient given population pressures (Helgi Library). As a share of GDP, education spending has actually declined to 2.62 percent in 2022, down from 2.83 percent in 2021 according to theGlobalEconomy.com. Both measures fall short of international benchmarks, with UNESCO recommending at least 15–20 percent of public spending, or 4–6 percent of GDP, for education.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequalities of digital access. In 2025, only 41.9 percent of Cameroonians are connected to the internet, leaving nearly 58.1 percent offline (DataReportal). For students, especially in rural communities, this means exclusion from online learning opportunities, educational resources, and digital literacy training that are increasingly vital for modern economies. While urban private schools experiment with e-learning platforms, most public schools lack reliable electricity, let alone internet access or digital devices.
Education in Cameroon is also marked by sharp disparities. Children in conflict-affected regions of the North West and South West face frequent school closures, insecurity, and displacement. In the Far North, poverty and child marriage continue to limit girls’ educational opportunities. National averages mask these deep inequalities, which risk entrenching cycles of poverty and instability if not urgently addressed.
Education should not be a secondary issue. It is the foundation for economic growth, social stability, and national cohesion. Yet it has too often been neglected in Cameroon’s political discourse. As the 2025 campaign unfolds, voters should demand clear answers to questions such as:
How will candidates ensure children not only enrol but complete school?
What strategies will reduce the pupil–teacher ratio and improve classroom quality?
Will education spending be raised to meet international benchmarks?
How will rural and conflict-affected areas be supported to bridge inequities?
What national plan exists to close the digital divide and prepare learners for the future economy?
Cameroon’s education system stands at a crossroads. With a youthful population, the stakes are high: neglect could condemn millions to cycles of poverty, while reform could unlock the nation’s greatest resource which is its human capital. As with peace, governance, and the economy, education is not a promise to be delayed. It is a generational test that the next president cannot afford to fail.
📚 Cameroon’s Education at a Glance
- Primary completion rate: 71.08% of children finish primary school. (World Bank / TheGlobalEconomy.com, 2023)
- Secondary enrolment: Only 44.39% of eligible students attend secondary school. (TheGlobalEconomy.com, 2023)
- Pupil–teacher ratio: 44.8 pupils per teacher in primary schools; some rural classes exceed 70. (IndexMundi, 2018)
- Adult literacy: 78.23% of adults can read and write; youth literacy is 86.24%. (TheGlobalEconomy.com, 2023)
- Education spending: 13.08% of government expenditure in 2023; 2.62% of GDP. (Helgi Library / TheGlobalEconomy.com)
- Digital access: Only 41.9% of the population has internet access; 58.1% remain offline. (DataReportal, 2025)
- Key voter question: How will candidates improve access, quality, and digital inclusion to ensure every child has a real chance at education?
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77
Bakah Derick is an award-winning Cameroonian journalist and mediapreneur, serving as Vice President in charge of International Relations at the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union and leading Hilltopvoices Communications Group Ltd to amplify community voices and governance issues. With nearly 20 years in the field, his impactful reporting spanning human rights, environmental protection, inclusive development, and sports has earned him prestigious honors such as the 2024 VIIMMA Humanitarian Reporter of the Year and more. Email: debakah2004@gmail.com Tel: +237 675 460 750