Douala: Teachers frown, expose their grievances on ceremonial ground

Chalk bearers have once again expressed their discontent over unjust treatment on them by the government and proprietors of private schools in the city, despite all their endeavours to nurture future leaders and contribute to President Paul Biya’s 2035 emergence vision.

Frustration was all over their faces at the Beseke ceremonial ground as they paraded miserably with frowned looks Infront of the Littoral governor and delegates of Basic, and Secondary on the occasion of the 30th edition of World teacher’s day.

“Coming to march doesn’t mean that all is well but to send a message to the World and proprietors of private schools in Cameroon to make teachers feel what you feel. So, if you must grow, then it should be a collective journey”. Bekiebang Jerome, a private teacher demanded.

Teachers seized the opportunity to unleash the chunk of institutional, material and financial deficiencies caging them in misery.

“In terms of salary and in terms of the money the government is owing us, you discover that the Cameroonian teacher has no value.” Batikum Prince Fred, recalled in regret.

“Government has abandoned private schools with deficiencies in the hands of their proprietors. Teachers are still earning peanuts salary, files of many teachers remain untreated for integration living them in misery. Kidnapping of teachers in the NW and SW regions and demand for ransome from their families remains a disturbing issue to be solved. Corruption in the Education Ministries is alarming. These and many other issues need to be redressed.” Dr. Tabah Bertrand, Teacher and member of a teachers trade Union exposed.

Valuing teachers voices: Towards a New a New Social Contract for Education is the theme of this 30th edition of World teachers day. To some teachers the theme comes at the right moment.

“We have a lot of problems in the private sector but this year the message is clear. For Cameroon to attain its emergence vision in 2035, efforts of teachers must be recognized and rewarded. Bekiebang Jerome advised.

While teachers demand to be treated fairly as deserved, Littoral governor, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua stressed in his address that “the Head of State took series of material and financial actions to elevate the status of the teachers and which are already under implication. All exams invigilation and marking debts owed teachers settled”.