The 46th World Day of Literacy was celebrated on Saturday, September 8th, 2012.
Illiteracy among adults in Douala may soon be reduced to a little thing. Increasingly, adults register to receive elementary knowledge in functional literacy across specialised centres in the city and initiation into basic computing skills.
On average, 60 adults receive the elementary courses each year in the Literacy Centre situated in New Bell Aviation neighbourhood. Known by its French acronym as CEPROVA, the centre runs a computer course as well as English and French language courses throughout the academic year. Course participants are also taught on how to behave and live in urban milieu.
Speaking during a debate conference at CEPROVA to commemorate the 2012 World Literacy Day last Saturday, Tchameko Danie Clarisse, a roadside vendor of roasted fish and adult pupil of the centre, explained how she acquired practical skills for her daily activities: “The centre has enabled me to increase my profit because I have learned hygienic rules to keep my business place clean”.
Tongo Mariam, a princess who hails from Yagoua in the North Region, said in spite of her love for school, she did not have the opportunity to attend one. But through her husband’s encouragement, she is now a pupil of the centre. She disclosed that now she can read, write and calculate. “Even so, I own a laptop computer that I use,” she added.
Some who attend such schools in Douala have written the Certificat d’études primaires (CEP) and First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) exams and passed. The elementary courses are undertaken for five years for a pupil to graduate.
