By Tata Mbunwe
Two female teachers of the Cameroon College of Arts and Science Technology (CCAS) in Kumba could face administrative sanctions for scaling over the school fence to go home, in what authorities have termed “truant behavior”.
Viral videos captured by onlookers and shared on social media showed the two unnamed teachers bypassing the school gate to scale the fence in an impatient attempt to leave campus while the gate was locked.
They were being filmed and ridiculed by onlookers, including students, who were dismayed by teachers doing what is often typical behavior of recalcitrant students.
Dr Njie Martin Esongo, South West Regional Delegate for Secondary Education, could not hold back his contempt for the act.
In a statement quoted the state newspaper, he labeled the behavior as “primitive” and “uncouth”, stating that it was an act of “institutional sabotage”.
MMI News learned he is bent on dishing out sanctions on the two teachers for the “undignifying acts”. He said their behaviour blatantly contradicts the “clean school” policy championed Secondary Education Minister Prof Nalova Lyonga, aimed at making schools clean, dignifying and morally upright for learners.
But many have been asking how female teachers resorted to a “commando-styled” approach to exiting campus.
We learned school authorities had ordered a closure of the gate to force students and teachers to attend the finals of the Principal’s Cup that day.
But as evening approached, and having reportedly waited to go home to no avail, the two teachers resorted to sneak over the fence.
One first climbed up the fenced and jumped down outside before receiving their bags from her colleague and watching her climb over.
Dr Esongo said this behaviour set a dangerous precedent for students, for “when educators mimic delinquent learners, they forfeit their moral authority to discipline students”.
