My Picture of G.S. Mile 19

My Picture of G.S. Mile 19

Who am I?

My names are Felix Mekolle Kome, born on the 3^rd of May 1972 at Tiko. I am a native of Bakossi, Muambong, Bangem in Kupe Muaneguba Division. I had my primary education at the Ecole Publique Group II in Dschang, where I got the C.E.P.E. in 1985. I did secondary education in C.E.S. de Kékem and obtained the B.E.P.C. in 1990. I proceeded to Lycée Bilingue (B.G.S.) Molyko, Buea, and did the Probatoire. Later on, in 1996, I enrolled in G.T.T.C. Kumba, where I came out with the Teacher’s Grade One (CAPIEMP) Certificate. I was recruited a contract teacher in November 1998 by order No. B105/003/MINEDUC/PDNE/DDNE/KM of 11/11/98 and posted to G.S. Mile 19. I teach the final year class.

In the Community

The day I stepped into Mile 19, I was well received by the people I met. From that moment, I was no longer a stranger. I was then told that the school was a feeder school to G.S. Ebubu. In the school compound, the person I first met was the head teacher, Mr. Esoka Victor Samme. He took me round the school, introducing me officially to the pupils. This was followed with the meeting he called for the staff to receive me. Here again, I was given a warm reception. The following day, I was given class seven, which I courageously accepted even as I had no previous teaching experience. But, my pupils gave me good impressions. At the end of the year, however, I was disappointed when they scored only 25% pass. This was taken as my first mistake to correct. The following year, I was sent to the same class. The pupils’ participation was there, this time. And, the end result was much better, 70% passed, and the results remained good for the next three consecutive years. However, despite my efforts and increasing teaching experience, the result dropped last year to 27.5%!

Classroom challenges

Classroom work is at times difficult because parents often resist providing pupils with school needs, such as books, pens/pencils, school bags and uniforms. In a class of 72, for example, only about 10 have readers. There is no school library. This is a problem for lesson preparation too. Some parents even refuse to pay other dues such as those levied for terminal exams and the parents teachers association (PTA). In these circumstances, pupils find difficulties expressing themselves, even as some do it better than others. Communication with the parents is good in some cases. We interact well. I try some solutions which bear fruits. Other parents rebuke my advice to them.

Other pressures

G.S. Mile 19 was fully constructed by the PTA. Today, the three buildings have become two. A storm came and wiped one away. Classrooms are so congested. Benches are not enough to sit all. The classrooms are still without doors and windows. More has to be done to improve existing classrooms, add others and build toilets to prevent the soiling of school surroundings.

Opportunity

As the name implies, G.S. Mile 19 is not only for the community in Mile 19 but also for the national and international community. Pupils from this school may not only serve their immediate families, but also the community in mile 19, Cameroon and worldwide. Despite the many obstacles to their learning, the pupils, when they appear in public, emerge top as seen during march pass and sports competitions. They are always neat. These give me the impression that if they are given the opportunity to learn in more comfortable classes than the ones existing now, they will top many other activities.

Recommendations

The immediate community should not relax. They should be increasing their support as they are now doing. The national and international community should also be honoring their commitment to the school and community in Mile 19.