As part of the fight against unsanitary conditions, the initiative to green primary schools in Cameroon is gaining momentum. Following the launch of the Urban Platform on December 5, 2025, at the Mfandena Public School, the operation is now being extended to schools in Yaoundé 5th.
Under the impetus of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (Minhdu), headed by Célestine Ketcha Courtès, this environmental campaign reached a new milestone on March 2, 2026. The public school complexes of Camp Sonel Essos, Djoungolo, Ngoulemekong and Ngousso benefited from significant logistical support.
A total of 125 selective sorting bins and six plastic bottle collection cages were handed over by François Ossama, Technical Advisor to Minhdu. This endowment aims to instill in young students the right reflexes in terms of waste management and recovery. "The change in mentality must start at the grassroots level, in our primary schools," stressed the Minister's representative, emphasizing the importance of this action in implementing the recommendations of the General States on urban waste management, particularly with regard to environmental education.
The authorities consider this equipment to be the cornerstone of a circular economy under construction. Murielle Bissek, project manager of the Urban Platform in Cameroon, and Augustin Bala, mayor of Yaoundé 5th, welcomed this initiative, hoping that it would spread to other districts. This approach is part of a broader desire to integrate environmental education into school curricula, as highlighted by an awareness campaign launched in December 2025.
Several similar initiatives have already been implemented in Cameroon, including the "Resilient Schools" project, which aims to transform schools in Northern Cameroon into oases of climate resilience. In addition, TotalEnergies Cameroon, in partnership with REIMAC, conducted an initiative to promote environmental cleanliness in primary schools in Yaoundé in September 2024.
These actions converge towards a common goal: to make schools model spaces for responsible waste management and nurseries for eco-citizens. The involvement of younger generations is essential to sustainably anchor eco-responsible practices and build a more sustainable future.
The school greening initiative in Yaoundé represents an important step towards more sustainable waste management and enhanced environmental education. It reflects a growing awareness of the importance of involving young people in environmental protection.
