MODERN LEARNING METHODS IN CAMEROON
Professor Nalova Lyonga Outlines Bold Reforms to Modernize Cameroon’s Secondary Education System
On Friday, August 9, 2024, the Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga, accompanied by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Secondary Education in Charge of Teachers Training, Boniface Bayaola, the Secretary General of MINESEC, Professor Pierre Fabien Nkot, and other top officials of the Ministry of Secondary Education, held a press conference at the Distance Education Centre. This event was aimed at discussing her reforms for modernizing the country’s secondary education system. It was hosted by Kilian Ndah Ndifor, CRTV journalist and covered by the national broadcaster CRTV for their program “Press Hour”.
During the press conference, Professor Nalova Lyonga outlined three key areas of focus as regards her reforms in modernizing education in MINESEC: The digitalization of the teaching and learning process, the introduction of the Unique Identification Number and the laudable notion of Clean School.
Through the setting up of the Distance Education Centre of the Ministry of Secondary Education, MINESEC has recorded advancement in online teaching and learning process. This is evident through digitalized lessons and pedagogic materials which can be accessed nationwide by all students and teachers. The Distance Education Centre hosts a state-of-arts with modern technological infrastructure which eases the digitalization of lessons and sharing the said lessons across the national territory. Adjaba Biwoli Jean Pierre, Inspector Coordinator General for Sciences and Coordinator of the Distance Education Centre stated that “… equipment and infrastructure in very important… our Minister has helped Distance Education in terms of equipment infrastructure…”
As a testament to the importance of the digitalization of learning, Alida Wvemnyuy, former student of GBHS Yaounde who succeeded in the 2024 session of the GCE Advance Level with five papers. Recounted that the online lessons from the Distance Education website (www.distancelearning.cm) gave her access to some lessons she did not understand and she said “The distance learning lessons can be accessed everywhere… I encourage my younger ones to follow up with distant learning lessons.”
Ideally, the introduction of the Unique Identification Number system for all secondary school students in Cameroon which will go operational from 2024-2025 school year and is an added value which modernizes the education system in Cameroon secondary school. This new reform facilitates the payment of school fees either through phone or bank deposit will streamline administrative procedures, track students’ progress and improve data collection for better policy-making. It equally facilitates the payment of school fees, transfer of students’ record between schools, ensuring continuity in students’ educational journey. The Unique Identifier will enhance disciplinary measure within schools as students will become aware that track record of their behaviour is recorded and can be accessed by all.
With regards to the notion of “Clean School” the Minister of Secondary Education highlighted the importance of respect for the significant minority as a leverage to cut down hate speech and make the learning environment more conducive and harmonious. She added that teachers in the North west and South west whose duty post poses a threat to their lives as a result to the on-going crisis should not abandon. She encourages such teachers by saying “Don’t go and teach where you will die, but write to the regional delegate and you will be sent to another school.”
JOSO Sophie
ARO2/CELCOM
