This is the message of the Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga, to the National Education Community, for the 23rd Edition of the World Philosophy Day, celebrated on 21 November 2024, under the theme “Philosophy and Human Well-being”.

This message was delivered at the Edea ceremonial ground by Jean-Paul Marcellin Mebada, Inspector General of Education and personal representative of the Minister of Secondary Education at Edea. The Minister’s envoy was accompanied by the Senior Divisional Officer of the Sanaga-Maritime Division, Cyrille Yvan Abondo, and surrounded by other officials of the MINESEC central administration, as well as the Regional Delegate for Secondary Education for the Littoral, Madam Eboa Thamar. The gracious presence of the Bishop of Edea Diocese, His Lorsdhip Jean-Bosco Ntep added up to the prestige of this ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Secondary Education, the Inspector General of Education noted the decisive role played by Philosophy in building a civilization of collective well-being. He used this opportunity to specify that well-being is not to be confused with the accumulation of material goods, or falling prey to the lure of easy money.

Therefore, he enjoineded philosophy teachers to nurture knowledge, know-how and interpersonal skills in students, most of whom are emotionally vulnerable young people. He also reassured the teachers of MINESEC's resolute commitment to offer them, as far as possible, the appropriate working conditions to make philosophy the flame of human well-being.

It is in this light that prizes worth 100,000 and 50,000 FCFA were awarded by Professor Nalova Lyonga to the 37 (20 students and 17 trainers) national winners of the national competition for the best philosophy essay and the best philosophy corpus organized on 16 October 2024 as a prelude to the celebration.

For the Littoral Region, a total of 4 students, 2 teachers, 1 Regional Pedagogic Inspector and the Regional Coordinating Inspector of Philosophy were honoured with the ministerial prize for the quality of their contribution to deepening the learning of philosophy.

Aimé Ngidjol, ARO1/Celcom

Congratulations !

Congratulations !

“This innovation in the 21^st Century is helping us to move ahead and reform our education”, Professor Nalova Lyonga declared.

The Diaspora Academic Network for Africa (Diana RY), Finland hosted a two-day online seminar titled the “Finland-Africa Collaboration Platform for Teacher Training and Capacity-building on 5-6 June 2024. This event brought together education stakeholders from Finland and Sub-Saharan African countries to discuss strategies for improving teacher training and professional development.

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote address delivered by the Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga, which centred around the topic “What Quality African Teacher for the 21^st Century, Governance, Training, Professional Development, Welfare and Innovation”. This was at the Conference Hall of the Distance Education Centre in the presence of the Secretary of State in Charge of Teacher Training, Boniface Bayaola, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Secondary Education, Professor Pierre Fabien Nkot, the Inspector General of Services, Fidelis Akat, the Inspector General of Education, Jean Paul Marcellin Mebada, Directors and Inspector-Coordinator Generals of the Central Services of her ministerial department.

 In the address, the Minister defined who a teacher is, profiled of the 21^st Century teacher, and explained the main guidelines governing the teaching profession and the needs and gaps in the domain.

Professor Nalova Lyonga defines teachers according to the National Education Policy, “as people who truly shape the future of our children and therefore, the future of our nation. The motivation and empowerment of teachers is required to ensure possible future for our children and nation”. As regards the profile of the 21^st Century teacher, the Minister stated that he/she should be one who possesses technological proficiency, global awareness, adaptability, empathy and emotional intelligence, classroom management, collaboration skills, behaviour, cultural competence, and promote dialogue.

The guidelines stated by Professor Nalova Lyonga centred on teacher training, equal distribution of resources in all the ten regions of Cameroon, inclusive education, assessment reform, technological integration and mental health support.

She went ahead to present the needs and gaps from the results of a survey carried out with 543 teachers. The results of the survey showed the gaps and the needs arrived at: the need for initial training content as far as digitalization is concerned, the need to increase in-service training for teachers, continued efforts to reduce the gaps or disparities among teachers, and the digitalization of lessons and assessments.

Professor Nalova Lyonga concluded her keynote address with this strong statement “we are behind, we have to move fast to go ahead and catch up. This innovation in the 21^st Century is helping us to move ahead and reform our education. We have to reform our education”, and called for action.

JOSO Sophie, ARO2/CELCOM