The Ministry of Secondary Education (MINESEC) hosted a series of engaging and informative activities to commemorate the 39th edition of International Women's Day (IWD). The event which ran from the 2nd to the 8th of March on the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Growth”, aimed to raise awareness about gender-related issues, promote positive parenting, enhance women's health, and celebrate the achievements of women. The diverse range of activities included a fitness walk, round table discussions, health watch, educative talks, gastronomy day, match pass, and a banquet.

       The celebration kicked off with a fitness walk along the iconic 20th May Boulevard followed with a round table discussion at the Distance Education Center. The focus was on "Gender Sensitive Budgeting and Positive Parenthood." Esteemed experts engaged in a fruitful dialogue to emphasize the significance of gender-sensitive budgeting and the role of positive parenthood in fostering gender equality and curbing violence in schools and the community at large.

     Continuing the discussions on gender-related issues, a round table session was held on the 5th of March with a discussion centred around "Raising Awareness on Gender Approach." Participants explored various aspects of gender such as the “Guarantee and Protection of Women’s Rights” and “Presentation of Legal Texts Related to the Management of Pregnancies and GBV in Secondary Schools”.

       Promoting women's health and well-being is a crucial aspect of the IWD celebrations. On the 6th of March, a health watch session focused on taking health parameters and screening for diabetes. Then followed an educative talk on “Women's Nutrition and the Prevention of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases”. The session provided valuable insights on maintaining a healthy diet, preventing chronic illnesses, and empowering women to make informed choices about their nutrition and health.

     The IWD festivities equally feature a gastronomy day which event showcased the culinary talents of women, highlighting their contributions to the gastronomic world with a display of diverse cuisines from the four regional groupings of the Cameroon.

      The weeklong celebration culminated with a grand match pass at the 20th May Boulevard on the 8th of March, followed by a sumptuous lunch offered by the Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga, in MINESEC premises.

By JOSO Sophie,ARO2/CELCOM

LAUNCHNG CEREMONY OF THE NOVEL “CLEAN SCHOOL OR SCHOOL WITH A DIFFERENCE”

The Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga, under whose patronage the initiative was undertaken, presided over the launching ceremony of the book titled “Clean School” or “School with a Difference”. This event took place on Friday 9 February 2024, at the premises of GBTHS Nsam. The ceremony aimed to shed light on the significance of maintaining hygiene and sanitation in schools, with emphasis on school toilets. Accompanying the Minister of Secondary Education, Professor Nalova Lyonga were the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Secondary Education in Charge of Teachers’ Training, Boniface Bayaola, the Inspector General of Services, Fidelis Akat, the Inspector General of Education, Jean-Paul Marcelin Mebada, Inspector Coordinator Generals, Pedagogic Inspectors all of MINESEC and other stakeholders to participate and engage in the thoughtful presentations.

The opening segment of the event focused on a sketch depicting challenges and consequences of poor hygienic conditions in school toilets. The portrayal emphasized the importance of a healthy school environment as advocated by Professor Nalova Lyonga in her “Clean School Vision”.

The Regional Pedagogic Inspector Meli Josée took the podium and offered explanatory notes on the book’s content laying emphasis on both the message and style. She commended the initiative, emphasizing the transformative power of a clean school on both the physical well-being of students and their overall learning experience.

The ceremony proceeded with a series of presentations from panelists made up of Professor Nalova Lyonga, Jean Paul Marcelin Mebada, Francoise Desire Mbesse, the editor of the novel, Sophie Francoise Bapambe Yap, the editorial adviser and Yvonne Flore Belema, the author of the novel. These presentations took an interactive question and answer session with the audience and highlighted the fact that this novel is a contribution that will properly define Professor Nalova Lyonga in the “Clean School Vision” as one from God aimed at saving lives. Shading more light on this, the panelists made reference to the UNGA resolution of 28 July 2022, which adopted a landmark resolution recognizing the human right to a healthy environment, stating that “All people have the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This book thus uses a transformative policy of a story and real-life experience of the author in order to pass across a message of cleanliness in schools and the importance of parent to talk to and with their children.

This ceremony was a resounding success, as stakeholders recognized the critical importance of maintaining cleanliness in school toilets. With the support of the Minister of Secondary Education and the collective efforts of educators, administrators, policy makers and ACAHIJEC, it is hoped that the book will serve as a catalyst for positive change and transform school toilets into clean, conducive and healthy environment.

By

JOSO Sophie

ARO2/CELCOM