Bafut teachers heave a sigh of relief as Hon. Agho Oliver donates multifunctional office equipment.

Teachers in Bafut Subdivision have received a major boost to their administrative work following the donation of a multifunction printer by the Member of Parliament for Bafut-Tubah, Hon. Agho Oliver, aimed at reducing the difficulties educators face in producing official documents amid ongoing challenges in the area.

The donation, handed over on behalf of the parliamentarian by his Alternate, Brenda Ichu, comprised a three-in-one machine capable of printing, photocopying and scanning documents. The equipment was presented to education stakeholders in Bafut as part of efforts to support teachers grappling with logistical and operational constraints caused by years of insecurity.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Brenda Ichu said the donation was intended to ease the burden on teachers who often travel long distances to access printing and photocopying services.

"On behalf of the MP for Bafut-Tubah, I came with a package of a printer, a three-in-one machine for printing, photocopying and scanning to assist teachers with their work and reduce the stress associated with moving from one location to another to process documents," she said.

The donation comes at a time when teachers in Bafut continue to navigate difficult working conditions. Beyond security concerns, education officials say schools are facing acute staffing shortages as many teachers transferred out of the subdivision during the crisis.

One of the beneficiaries, Chikelem Boniface, highlighted the challenges confronting the education sector in the area, noting that some examinations are still being written outside Bafut due to prevailing circumstances.

"We have been writing examinations in Bamenda instead of Bafut, which is very costly. The staffing situation is another major concern because many teachers left following the crisis. Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to redeploy teachers to schools that are functioning so that learning can continue," he explained.

According to education authorities, several schools in the subdivision have adopted alternative arrangements to sustain learning activities, with some operating from private homes and other temporary locations.

For head teachers, the newly donated equipment is expected to significantly reduce operational costs and improve administrative efficiency.

Ndonui Bridget, speaking on behalf of head teachers in the subdivision, described the donation as timely and highly needed.

"We have been longing for this kind of support. Teachers regularly produce documents such as punctuality records, beginning-of-year reports, effective service documents and assumption-of-duty records. Most head teachers have been spending from their own salaries to photocopy these documents. This gift will allow us to provide these services free of charge and greatly reduce costs," she said.

She added that despite the difficult terrain and security-related challenges that make access to some schools difficult, teachers remain committed to ensuring educational activities continue across the subdivision.

The donation reflects growing calls for greater support to teachers working in conflict-affected communities. Education stakeholders believe the equipment will not only facilitate documentation and record keeping but also improve service delivery by enabling teachers to focus more on teaching and school supervision rather than the financial and logistical burdens associated with administrative tasks.

For educators in Bafut, the gesture is viewed as recognition of the sacrifices teachers continue to make to keep schools functioning under challenging circumstances and a contribution towards strengthening the capacity of the education system in the subdivision.