The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO of Kupe Muanenguba, Mungambo Ekema William has disclosed that the major solution to teachers’ problems is a change of mindset.
The SDO was addressing teachers of Bangem Sub Division on the 5th of October 2023 during the commemoration of the 27th edition of the International Teachers’ Day at Paul Biya’s Stadium, Bangem under the theme, “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Address the Teacher Shortage.”
According to the SDO, teachers must shift their mindsets from money and be passionate about their job. He said wealth is not defined by the amount of money one has, but other factors like good health. He encouraged that irrespective of their diverse challenges, teachers must always smile to take away their stress.
The administrative boss disagreed with a presentation by Ako Arrey Francis, a language teacher at GBHS Bangem, on teacher shortage statistics and the eminent dangers in the profession.
However, Mungambo congratulated teachers for coming out to celebrate their day unlike those who carry placards and refuse to go to the classroom. He said there’s a global economic crisis and Cameroon is facing it at many fronts, especially the crisis in the North West and South West Regions. “The government is aware that teaching in the North West and South West Regions is a heinous task. Government has started treating teachers’ problems. You don’t win the battle by rebelling.” He cautioned.
In his welcome address, the Divisional Delegate of Basic Education, Kupe Muanenguba, Ngwesse Joseph Kolle described a teacher as a person who has love towards his pupils, free from moral faults and serviceable. He said comparative salaries to teachers will attract and retain them from prostituting to other walks of life.
Teachers’ shortage and Eminent Dangers.
In his 17-page paper presentation, Ako stated that educators everywhere know just how timely 2023’s theme is. He said statistics show that 55% of teachers now expect to leave the profession earlier than they had planned, with 35% expecting to quit in the next two years.
According to him, anyone working in a public school especially those in the Far North, North West and South West Regions of Cameroon know that the teaching profession is at a crisis point.
The language teacher added that Cameroon through its ministries of Basic, Secondary and Higher Education have taken many laudable decisions to this effect. However, he regretted that most decisions have only stayed at the level of theory with little or no implementation.
The teacher proposed that there should be the provision of targeted incentives for new and current teachers by the state and other employers. He said this will help to retain teachers and bring new teachers into the profession to build staff capacity and provide consistent, high-quality in-person instruction.
Also, Ako added that the government can build a long-term substitute pool and tap into retired teachers as soon as there is need in order to avoid shortages, and to continuously monitor and improve working conditions of teachers.
By Olive Ejang
