Teaching is a profession that has attracted a good number of Cameroonians in recent years. The profession commands respect and the teacher plays an important role in the life of any individual. Today many people join the profession not because it is their vocation but due to the fringe benefits that could be derived from it. Paddy Meh, a teacher in Yaounde is extremely busy since the beginning of the academic year last September. He was busy giving extra lectures in a primary school campus last Friday at about seven p.m. He said he teaches after the normal working hours because his monthly salary cannot take care of the needs of his family. Moreover, he teaches only two hours a week so he has enough time to make more money. According to him, classes begin at 5:30 p.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. daily.

Some teachers give extra lectures in several schools to end up with a big package at the end of the month. “Life is not easy. With our small salaries we cannot help ourselves,” he said. This is the case with many teachers in the country today. Private classes are organised in school campuses and some in private homes. Another teacher, Johnson N. said he organises private classes in his home to enable him make ends meet. According to Johnson, the private classes are not only meant for brisk business but they help children to succeed in their final year examinations. Children preparing for the First School Leaving Certificate pay FCFA 5000 per month and they receive lectures three times a week. The prices range between FCFA 5000 to FCFA 10,000 for secondary school children.

Toupou Mama, founder of Groupe Esperance Education, one of the famous teachers in private classes in town said he is specialised in the sector. He said after university education, he decided to make private classes his career. The school has six teachers and according to him, the objective is to help improve the knowledge of the children. The school, according to him prepares children for the CEP, BEPC and the Baccalauréat examinations. He said the children preparing for CEP pay FCFA 5,000 per month while candidates for BEPC and BAC pay FCFA 10,000. He says his vocation is to train the children and not to make money. “There is nothing as training and bringing up other young people. I will be happy to see 1000 Cameroonians that I have trained in future,” he said.

Elizabeth MOSIMA