At visit to Mfandena Gov’t Primary School Yaounde: UNESCO DG assures schoolchildren nationwide of continuous support.

The visit was on the theme: “Literacy and Peace: A tale of UNESCO”. It was against the backdrop of commemorative activities to mark the 58th edition of the International Literacy Day.

Audrey Azoulay was accompanied during the visit by members of government, notably the Ministers of Basic, Secondary and Higher Education, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, and the Secretary of State to the Minister of Basic Education, among others.

In her address to the pupils, Azoulay expressed satisfaction paying them a visit at the start of the new academic year. She recommitted the organisations assistance to make sure their school requirements and educational standards are being met. 

“Remember that UNESCO is, and will always be with you all. Have a wonderful school year,” Azoulay stated.

She had on September 9, in Yaounde during the opening ceremony to mark the International Literacy Day globally, announced that UNESCO will contribute 44.5 million dollars, approximately FCFA 26.4 billion, as support for the country’s educational reform.

She continued by promising that UNESCO will step up its actions for education in Cameroon with their partner UNICEF by supporting the training of more than 15,000 teachers and 13,000 school directors stating that they are key to the success of children.

According to Azoulay, UNESCO will ensure that every child receives quality school meals because in addition to fundamental education rights, these meals ensure that some learners from low-income families attend school. 

DG lauds use of mother tongue in schools

Speaking to the press during her visit to the primary school, UNESCO’s DG expressed contentment with the use of both official and local languages at the school. 

“This school is experimenting teaching in the mother tongue. This year’s theme focuses on multilingualism and I had to opportunity to follow a lecture being done in Ewondo. I was pleased with the reaction of the children when the class mistress opened the class with a song in Ewondo and a small dance,” she said.

The UNESCO Director General added that: “It was interesting to watch the children come alive and identify with the song. They immediately related to it and felt at home and welcomed in the class. Immediately they switched to English and French. We see that these children are doing well linguistically especially now in their early years of education.”

According to Azoulay, the use of multiple languages to teach is proof that schools are open, inclusive and promote creativity.

“This is what I came here to see, promote and celebrate. Multilingualism is an investment that requires efforts and resources but pays well in the end. That is being proven here and I feel very proud of that,” Azoulay underscored. 

Her visit to Government Primary School Mfandena was accentuated with poems and sketches celebrating cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence in Cameroon. 

About the World Literacy Day 

The International Literacy Day was declared by UNESCO on October 26, 1966 at the 14th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. 

With an international observance status, the day is celebrated each year on September 8, to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable societies.

The day was celebrated this year on the theme, ‘Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace’.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3227 of Thursday September 12, 2024