Teacher's Day
By Polycarp Labah Nginyu

Ministerial Promise: No More Bitterleaf for Teachers

As teachers in Cameroon joined teachers the world over to celebrate the 14th International Day of Teachers last October 5, Cameroon Minister of Secondary Education, Mr. Bapes Bapes has promised brighter days for teachers in Cameroon.

Speaking in Yaoundé to thousands who had defied heavy rains and bad weather to come out in their numbers to commemorate this day, the Secondary Education ministry boss sounded very optimistic that things will no longer be the same again for the artists of the chalk.

Mr. Bapes Bapes promised the assembled teachers that they too will have career profile in the public service befitting their status and all arrears owed them will be paid. Teachers, he continued, will enjoy good salaries like other civil servants.

These promises if fulfilled will guarantee “quality teachers for quality education” as the theme for this year’s celebration promised. Gone therefore will be the days when teachers are ridiculed even by rich and well to do pupils and students. No more “sexually transmissible marks” where teachers were accused of giving grades based on sexual favors from students. No more street protests for a public service status. No more involvement by teachers in corrupt practices, feymania, drug abuse, file chasing etc to make ends meet.

Bapes Bapes was categorical that he was not mincing his words especially now that the economy of the country has witnessed a remarkable leap forward after the attainment of the Heavily Indebted and Poor Country phase one completion point.

However most teachers contacted expressed the same doubts of the promises made by saying that they will see before they believe.