Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Arnaud Nicolas MAWEL
Published on 2024-03-12 12:17:52
In an open letter, chalk professionals demand public apologies from their superior following comments made against them.
The climate between the regional delegate of secondary education for the North and all secondary school teachers is deteriorating. The former, after threatening the latter with suspension in case of corporal punishment on students, has incurred their anger. Now, outraged, the teachers demand his removal due to his “disparaging”, “offensive”, “arrogant”, “stigmatizing”, “hurtful” remarks. They regret that instead of resolving the problems of teacher shortages and school infrastructure in the region, he is threatening teachers.
It all started at the Technical High School of Touboro, in the Mayo-Rey department, North region. The regional delegate, during a contact visit to this establishment, spoke at a gathering to deliver what he called “the regional delegate’s outburst.” An excerpt from this speech by the former principal is circulating in a video.
“I am clear on this, Mr. Principal. If I ever hear that a principal or head of department has laid hands on a student, they will be removed. They will be removed. I am not speaking lightly. In Garoua, we kicked out a principal somewhere. I told the principal that I don’t want to see him in the school anymore. Today he is no longer there, he was kicked out. That’s it. The rules must be applied.
Minister, one cannot say that there are rules and yet some individuals act as if they are in their field. No, no, no. I believe I am speaking and everyone is listening to me. I am speaking to everyone and the entire educational community at the Technical High School of Touboro. Mr. delegate will follow this matter. As soon as there is a case, you inform us, we suspend them. Immediately after, we put someone else in their place. Thank you. That is the regional delegate’s outburst. Applaud for the delegate.”
In reaction, the teachers from the North drafted this letter.
“Mr. Regional Delegate of Secondary Education for the North,
It is with deep indignation and a sense of consternation that we, the teachers of the North, learned of your disparaging and contemptuous remarks towards us during your recent and viral public appearance on social media.
As a representative of public authority, your irresponsible and hurtful words constitute a blatant insult to the teaching profession as a whole. You forget, Mr. Delegate, that you yourself have used chalk and shared the daily lives of these teachers whom you now belittle with such arrogance.
Your words demonstrate a gross ignorance of the realities on the ground and a glaring lack of respect for those who, at the cost of a thousand sacrifices, strive to impart knowledge to the children of the North region.
The disdain expressed in your statements is all the more unacceptable as it comes in a context marked by numerous challenges for education in our region: lack of infrastructure, insufficient qualified personnel, and many others.
Instead of setting yourself up as a moral arbiter and stigmatizing teachers, you should fully assume your responsibilities and work to find concrete solutions to the problems plaguing education in the North.
Therefore, we, the teachers of the North, demand simply and purely your removal. You are no longer worthy to represent a profession that you seem to neither understand nor respect.
Your unworthy behavior and hurtful remarks have damaged the honor and dignity of all teachers in the North region. We can no longer tolerate such behavior from a representative of the State.
We invite you, Mr. Delegate, to publicly apologize to all the teachers you have offended. It is time for you to step down from your position and make way for someone more competent and respectful of the teaching profession.
Done in GAROUA, March 11, 2024
For all teachers of the North”
Read the original article(French) on Journal du Cameroun
