There has been a notable growth in interest in the teaching/learning of the second languages in the Littoral.
Education officials in Douala say the successes in bilingualism in the region are that there is a remarkable growth in interest and enthusiasm in the teaching/learning of the second languages. Better results have been recorded in the formative and summative evaluations in the 2011-2012 academic year. Ningo Mbah Doris, Inspector Coordinator of MINEDUB in Douala, made the disclosure at the end of the 10th anniversary celebration of the National Day of Bilingualism January 3 at New Bell Bassa Government Primary School.
A series of measures account for the rise: first, Regional Delegations of Basic and Secondary Education have embarked on awarding prizes for efforts done by teachers and pupils, especially during the National Week of Bilingualism certainly with the support of partners. Special days of bilingualism have been instituted in all structures, many training workshops and pedagogic seminars have been organised. For the 2011-2012 academic year, the theme was “Reading as a basis for Literacy”. The justification was the dwindling of mastery of the reading skill which had an influence on the development of other competences. This year’s theme “Bilingualism for a responsible citizenship” speaks reasons this success. In Douala, the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Douala Linguistic Centre so that they could improve on their proficiency at preferential rates. It carried out numerous supervision, guidance and counselling missions to provide necessary teacher support. Special bilingual classes have been put in place at secondary and teacher education levels. The bilingual game and the existence of English/French clubs in most if not all colleges and high schools.
In a balance sheet of the promotion of bilingualism in the region, Ningo reiterated the non-collaboration with pedagogic officials, non-application of the official teaching programme, non-respect of allocated time for the teaching of the second official languages, as well as reluctance to acquire text books of the second languages by parents in the guise that basic education is free have challenged its full success.
Teachers like Ashu Kenneth, Pauline Wonig, and Joliveau Jagni said catch up of the second languages is slow due to shame and lack of text books on the part of pupils and students. A student who received prize for best reading said he spends more time learning the two official languages in line with his career goals. Governor Fai Yengo Francis presided over the closing ceremony attended by the Delegates of Basic and Secondary Education.
