Teachers as the Political Torchbearers of the British Southern Cameroons

This paper is a means through which to understand the pivotal role which teachers as a professional group, played in shaping the political evolution of the British Southern Cameroons. The paper unveils the several ways by which teachers were able to exploit and digress from their functions and responsibilities as pedagogues to become role models, decision makers and political beacon bearers as the territory evolved politically. From the avalanche of primary and secondary sources consulted, the findings reveal that teachers championed the formation of associations, political pressure groups and political parties, participated in elections and were actively involved in parliamentary debates. In fact, teachers were at the firing line of political activism. From the findings, it is therefore, unconceivable to refute the fact that despite serving under colonial rule and thanks to their attachment and love for motherland especially against Nigerian domination, teachers were very courageous, polyvalent and instrumental as the political vanguards of the British Southern Cameroons. In fact, they constituted the most politically enlightened corp. This was not the case with the practitioners of other professions or colonial servants.