As the 2026/2027 academic year enters its second week, classroom doors across Ndop and surrounding sub-divisions remain largely locked under the shadow of continuous ghost town calls and ongoing separatist threats. Addressing the deep-seated fear paralyzing the local education sector, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Ngoketunjia Division, Handerson Quetong Kongeh, has issued a direct appeal to parents, traditional rulers, and community leaders to stand united against the enforcement of school boycotts. In an exclusive interview on the state of the division’s school resumption, the administrative chief outlined concrete security arrangements deployed by local authorities while emphasizing that lasting stability depends heavily on a collective shift in community mindset. To guarantee the safe return of educators and pupils, the SDO announced targeted security measures designed to facilitate movement and secure learning spaces across red zones, particularly along the main Ring Road corridor: Protected Transit & Convoys : Regular security patrols and dedicated charters using armored vehicles have been arranged to escort teachers and commuters to and from their stations safely, especially during mid-week and weekend transit windows. Secured Residential Hubs : Protected housing areas within divisional and sub-divisional headquarters have been designated for teachers lacking secure local accommodation. Campus Presence & Regrouping Centers : Security personnel are programmed for deployment directly onto school campuses. Teachers serving in remote or high-risk enclave areas have been instructed to report to fortified regrouping centers established at sub-divisional and divisional headquarters to maintain operational presence. "Conquering the syndrome of fear is the very first step," SDO Kongeh stated, pointing out that military and administrative efforts require public backing to succeed. "Security and stability begin with the people in the community itself. When society collectively says 'no' to threats and lawlessness, peace takes root." Characterizing the persistent denial of basic education as a self-inflicted crisis that threatens to create a lost generation, the SDO urged parents and local leaders to distinguish between political struggle and the fundamental rights of children. Highlighting that denominational and lay private institutions in the division have consistently maintained high academic performance despite challenging conditions, Kongeh called on public school stakeholders to emulate their resilience: Role of Traditional Rulers : Pointing to traditional governance structures, the SDO challenged Fon-led traditional councils, village heads, and quarter heads to use traditional mechanisms—such as council directives and local discipline—to mandate school attendance within their jurisdictions. Condition-Free Enrollment : Administrative instructions have been issued to heads of public educational institutions to admit returning students seamlessly, removing administrative and financial barriers to encourage immediate attendance. Socio-Economic Impact : Over 80 percent of the local population lives under tight economic conditions, making access to state-subsidized public education essential. Stopping children from attending school, the administration argued, leaves youth vulnerable to drugs, conscription, and long-term socio-economic marginalization due to a lack of recognized qualifications. "Education is the indispensable key to development, health, and livelihood," Kongeh stressed. "No recognized exam, recruitment, or higher professional training exists outside verified educational pathways. Depriving young minds of this foundation places an unjust embargo on their future." As administrative and security services maintain their stance on the ground, local authorities continue to encourage educators to foster collaborative ties with quarter councils, elites, and parents to build a safe, welcoming environment around every campus. With administrative guarantees, security escorts, and regrouping centers in place, the administration reiterates its call for all stakeholders across Ngoketunjia Division to prioritize the sacred right to education and ensure classrooms open their doors without further delay.