Society

School Christmas parties: Minister warns against use of obscene music.

by Macwalter Njapteh Refor
04 Dec 2023 23:43
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Prof Etoundi Ngoa: Minister of Basic Education

The Minister of Basic Education, Prof Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, has prohibited the use of obscene songs during festive and cultural activities in the school milieu.
The decision banning the use of indecent songs is contained in service note addressed to all Regional Delegates of Basic Education in the ten Regions of the country. It was issued on November 28.

According to the Minister’s decision, there has been a resurgence in obscene music within school milieu in recent times.

“It has been given to me to note and this to deplore, the recrudescence of the broadcasting of obscene music in our schools, during ceremonies of rejoicing (Christmas tree, cultural activities),” the minister observed, adding that this is violation of the circular note N°003/B/1464/MINEDUB/SG/DSSAPPS of May 4, 2016.

The said circular, had formally prohibited the broadcast of obscene music in nursery and primary schools, as well as literacy and non-formal basic education centres.

“I would like to remind you that the said music conveys messages that are contrary to the values promoted by education in Cameroon, and contributes to tarnishing the image of Cameroonian schools and, by extension, of our country,” the minister further reminded his collaborators.

Prof Etoundi Ngoa then charged all the ten Regional Delegates of his ministry to ensure the scrupulous respect of this order aimed at redeeming the image of not just Cameroonian schools but the country at large.

“In order to put an end to this unhealthy practice, I hereby instruct you to ensure that the terms of the above-mentioned circular note are scrupulously respected during school celebration ceremonies,” he stressed.

The rise in obscenity within the Cameroonian education milieu has been closely linked to the rise of misdemeanors amongst Cameroonian youth. Cases of rape, drug and alcohol consumption, unwanted pregnancies and other vices.

The ban of obscene music also brings to mind the administrative decision banning a music by a Cameroonian artist, Franko.

It was in 2015 when the artist released the song titled “Coller la Petite” loosely translated in English as “hold her close”.

Deemed as containing obscene lyrics and gestures, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mifi, in the West Region, Joseph Tangwa, had banned the music in his administrative jurisdiction.