By Ikome Christie-NoellaEposi
Under the theme “Teaching in freedom, empowering teachers”, Buea joined the rest of the world on Thursday October 5 2017 to commemorate the 24th edition of the World Teachers day despite the present socio-economic and political unrest in the country.
Presided over by the governor of the south west region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, the ceremony brought together educational stakeholders of the South West region including; the VIce Chancellor of the University of Buea, Ngomo Horace Manga, the registrar of the Cameroon G.C.E board, Humphrey Ekema Monono, traditional and religious authorities amongst others.
Addressing the teachers at the independence square in Buea, governor Bilai appreciated all the efforts of teachers who have stood firm amidst the unrest in the country to always keep their classes open and ready to teach at all times.
He noted that the teaching profession is the foundation and threshold of all other professions. “The teachers are supposed to be the veritable catalyst by being highly dedicated to their jobs, competent and assiduous. The government of Cameroon is very aware of the various tasks assigned to teachers and is appreciative of your enormous input in trying to accompany the nation in emerging by 2035.
“The training and uninterrupted recruitment of staff has been maintained, the regular payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances , payment of subvention to the private sector as well as the safety of more training institutions, the institution of academic award to honor and celebrate the teachers is one of the most recent measures put in place by the government of Cameroon”.
He added that, the aim of the various forms of motivation to teachers is to empower them so that they can impact the learners with quality education. The governor congratulated those who have been distinguished by receiving academic honors and urged them to step up, become better and continue in the good path they have chosen.
Governor Bilai notably frowned at those he called “terrorist and activist” who have prevented children from going to school and warned them to be on the guard.
Education, he said, is a necessity for all and that is why the teachers are being celebrated for impacting knowledge on our children and making them become better leaders of the future.
The governor used this platform to reiterate that, refusing to send children to school is not just an act of irresponsibility but a crime against humanity. He urged all the teachers and those present to not only send their children to school but to sensitize their neighbors, friends and relatives to do same.
The regional delegate of secondary education for the South west, Mbombakued used the theme of this year’s celebration as an eye opener and urged everyone especially those of the teaching profession to examine their respective attitudes regarding the challenges they are going through. He called on the teachers to be builders and not destroyers.
“We have a lot of investments going on in the educational sector at the regional and national levels and the teachers are actively involved in a series of training sessions in the field. We are mainly aimed at empowering the teachers to step up, carry on peacefully with their activities and keep their profession growing” Yewoh noted.
On his part, the president of the Buea Area teachers association, Moki Liwonjo highlighted the importance of freedom as they carry out their teaching profession, pleaded on the government to ameliorate their teaching standards and hoped for a level ground for constructive and long lasting dialogue for teachers which will also enable a peaceful atmosphere for everyone especially the teachers and the students/pupils.