2016/17 back to school:

Basic Education stakeholders talk good governance

By Boris Esono in Buea

Regional Delegate of Basic Education SWR

Activities in the basic education sector like any human endeavor can never go without its challenges. Such issues as poor preparation of pupils for school, inadequate parental participation, involving pupils in the FENASCO games and inadequate provision of didactic materials to schools were only some of the challenges that senior official of the Basic Education sector of the South West Region dwelled on during their consultation meeting at the CNPS Hall, Buea, on 31 August 2016.

                With back to school around the corner, the meeting was aimed to evaluate the road covered by the basic education family of the region during the last academic year, and to chart the way forward for the new academic year.

     Speaking at the meeting, the Regional Delegate for Basic Education for the South West, Motase Dorothy congratulated the senior officials for a job well-done during the last examination session, saying there were marked improvements in all the schools both public and private.

                But she at once noted that observed drawbacks should not be underestimated especially the weakness of pupils in the languages and the paltry enrolment of the girl child in schools.

                On his part, Mr. Tata Julius, Social and Cultural Adviser at the Governors office noted that Basic Education is the foundation of any educational system and that set goals cannot be attained if school administrators do not inculcate a spirit of good governance.

                “There is need to improve school administration at all levels,” Tata Julius said, observing that absenteeism among teachers of public schools was becoming worrisome.

                Speaking to this reporter after the meeting, the Regional Delegate for Basic Education said all teachers in the Bakassi area have been paid all their allowances and bonuses up till June and measures have been taken to ensure that their full salaries are paid in time.

                Motase Dorothy called on proprietors of various institutions to respect the calendar of activities set out by the Minister for this academic year, warning that measures have been taken to ensure that teachers who do not respect laid down regulations are not shortlisted to mark official examinations.