Curtains dropped on the 8th edition of the National Week for Bilingualism in Fundong, Boyo Division of the North West region last Friday February 1, 2013. The week-long activities saw school children from primary to high school portraying their knowledge of bilingualism.
It was a rare moment for the young people to emphasise on the importance of bilingualism. Presided at by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Secondary Education in charge of Teacher Training, Mounouna Foutsou, the ceremony was an opportunity for the various stakeholders to emphasise on the importance of bilingualism. In his keynote address, he assured all that the Ministry of Secondary Education will do its best to promote quality and quantitative bilingualism at all levels.
He said bilingualism is a tool for communication that prepares Cameroonians for a bright future. He called on all to make maximum use of their knowledge of bilingualism and that Cameroonians should sit up and face the challenges that come with bilingualism as "bilingualism is our identity".
Furthermore, he acknowledged that through their mastering of the two official languages that is English and French, the students have manifested their desires to cultivate citizenship values that will enable them take up leadership as patriotic and creative Cameroonians. He was quick to add that, the theme "Bilingualism, cornerstone of professionalism for an emerging Cameroon" should be more than a slogan and should be taken seriously. He equally called on parents to encourage their children to be bilingual.
