I believe the children are our future

There is a huge contradiction in Belo, Cameroon. Leaders and officials talk about the children being the future, how the youth need to be empowered to make a difference to the community and how young people can make Belo a better place. And with 50% of the population being under the age 0f 15, it makes perfect sense.

But then on the other hand, children are beaten if they do something bad or if they get something wrong. They are expected to be quiet, well behaved and disciplined. And they are not meant to have a point of view.

A perfect combination for the future then?