First ever Fako teachers' seminar, workshop end brilliantly

Under the auspices of the Fako Divisional Delegate for Secondary Education, Helen Ikundi Njomo, teachers in all the secondary schools in the division gathered in their various sub-divisions to tackle the problems of education and results which have been falling for sometime now.

In the three sub-divisions of Limbe like in Tiko, Muyuka, Idenau and Buea, the teachers, in their numbers, brainstormed on their working conditions, reasons for the continuous failures in exams, and the way forward.

Deplorable Working Conditions Though the teachers’ gathering had both teachers of the public and private sectors heaped together, the overall concerns were the same; that no sector could boast of a hitch-free and ideal working condition.

The teachers of the private sector, seemingly more aggrieved, complained of long hours of work with low and irregular salaries worsened by no incentives and short and long-term motivations. They deployed the situations whereby unqualified teachers with little or no experiences are given the huge assignments to control examination classes.

As for the teachers on the government pay-roll, they cried foul on how their promised but unpaid allowances are dampening their spirits and killing their ability. The teachers condemned some school structures, which, they said, are modern pigsties rather than classrooms for the transfer of knowledge.

Failures On The Rise As a stock-taking meeting, the pedagogues were equally concerned about results. Taking a bird’s eye-view of the June 2014 GCE O/L results, it was observed that most schools dropped miles-off from their 2013 positions. The situation was said to be quite disturbing for the GCE O/L.

The teachers, while blaming themselves for some weaknesses like absenteeism, bad class preparations and other vices, tied their chagrin on the students and parents. Students were blamed for dodging away from classes while their parents were charged with irresponsibility by not paying fees on time; schools needs not met thereby making the teaching/learning process difficult.

Way Forward Determined to make Fako division the pace-setter in secondary education in the South West Region, the over 552 teachers at the various sub-divisions resolved to work tirelessly for better results in the June 2015 exams with a projection of 100%.

The parents were also called on board through the PTAs to redouble the campaign for parents to take their role as first educators and be more responsible. School proprietors were told to be more humane in handling the lives of their employees. School administrators were reminded on the need to assist the teachers make results through regular extra-classes which go with extra incentives.

Reactions Grand Premiere For Way Forward Teachers have never been so involved in the decision-making process of anything that concerns them like the opportunity the seminar/workshop has provided. It’s a grand premiere for a way forward which will undoubtedly produce huge results. Lyonga Cecil, Principal GBHS Tiko

Teachers Must Be Heard The gathering was unique for it gave the teachers an avenue to talk with the belief that they are being listened to, heard and understood. It is part of the participatory management approach being preached by the government. Epie Mbiwan Emmanuel, VP, BGS, Molyko, Buea

The Diagnosis, Therapy Great Results at the end of public exams are usually analysed from a watch-tower position with no due consideration of the frontline stakeholders, teachers. A teacher’s seminar/workshop for Fako has set a laboratory for the diagnosis and therapy for results, which is great. Ajang Alfred, VP, GHS Limbe

Better Way Of Evaluation,Projection The Fako Teacher’s Seminar/Workshop, duly conceived by the DDSE, Helen Ikundi Njomo, is an eye-opener for others to emulate, copy, paste and learn. In the forward-march towards attaining better results, meaning must be made of the past for better projections. The gathering did just that and has answered the questions of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Joseph Macaulay, Principal, GBHS Mutengene