The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Lives Savers Foundation, LISAF, Rev. Akisseh Makoge Ernest, has advocated for the abolition of fee drive in schools, for the psychological wellbeing of pupils and students.
The CEO was speaking in Tombel, June 15, 2024 on the occasion of the celebration of the Day of the African Child in Tombel, organized by LISAF.
He recalled that the conference of Heads of States of the Organization of African Unity adopted in 1990, a resolution for the celebration of the “Day of the African Child” (DAC) to commemorate the massacre of students in SOWETO in 1976, in a protest demonstration against the poor and inadequate educational system provided for them by the apartheid regime in South Africa.
He said it is in this light that LISAF in its contribution to the promotion and protection of children’s rights to education came up with the ‘Edu-Watch Project’.
Rev. Akisseh who is also a humanitarian and rights activist added that from a little research carried out in some schools in Tombel, they discovered that the impact of fee drive on the children has serious consequences. He said the outcome indicated that fees drive is a form of physical, moral and psychological torture on children.
“Fee drive is discriminative, painful, humiliating, traumatizing to the children and exposes them to social and environmental hazards”. Rev. Akisseh lamented.
He assured that LISAF has developed an alternative approach of fee recovery without sending away children from school.
The LISAF boss also reflected on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Education For All Children: The Time is Now”. He underscored the importance of providing child friendly, quality free, and compulsory education for all children in Africa.
Also speaking at the ceremony, South West Regional Councilor, Wahnkwelle Dione congratulated LISAF for celebrating the African child in the crowd pulling event.
She was happy that the ceremony has contributed in raising awareness on the rights of children and the importance of education. She equally re-echoed government’s readiness to valorize its rich human potentials to to improve on the plight of children in Cameroon.
The event ended with the award of prizes to meritorious pupils and students in Tombel.
Speaking to The Ultimate, Ngwesse Vanessa one of the laureates thanked LISAF for blessing her with gifts. She promised to work hard and be the best student in their class next academic year.
Meanwhile Ewane Clerance, a pupil prayed that God should bring more partners to LISAF so that next year, many students will receive prizes in DAC 2025.
Other activities that spiced the event include; choral singing, dancing, recitation of poems, ballet, amongst others.
By Ernest Ngome
