The 2015 World Day of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Buea was on Friday November 27 celebrated in grand style. Not fewer than 10.000 students drawn from fifteen colleges, two higher institutes of learning and seven Evening schools from across the Diocese of Buea took part in Friday’s celebration which took place at the Muea-Buea campus of Our Lady of Mt Carmel College. It was Immanuel Bushu, chief shepherd of the Buea Diocese who chaired last Friday’s celebration attended by a college of over 50 priests and other church officials.
Celebrated
on the theme “catholic education ,discerning and directing young talents
towards the service of humanity” catholic education authorities say the world
day of catholic schools is a day set aside to celebrate the important role
catholic elementary and secondary schools across the national territory play in
providing a value added education for young Cameroonians.
Speaking as
she welcome attendees at last Friday’s event, the principal of Our Lady of Mt
Carmel College, Rev Sister Margaret Ajebesone said the management and student
body of her college were particularly pleased to play host to such a historic
event. “This celebration gives us an opportunity to celebrate catholic
education. It is also a moment of stock taking” she said. Just like the
Principal of Our Lady of Mt Carmel College, the Mayor of the Buea council,
Ekema Patrick Esunge said the performance of students in catholic schools
within the Diocese of Buea has always been unique and outstanding. “It is only
by improving on our intellectualism that Cameroon’s emergence by 2035 can be
reality” Mayor Ekema averred. While pledging council’s full support to the Buea
Diocese whenever necessary, Mayor Ekema Patrick hailed officials of the
Catholic education family in Buea for expanding health and education facilities
within his municipality.
Francis
Ngundu, South West regional delegation of Secondary education for his part used
the occasion to commend the efforts of the Catholic Church in investing in
education within the region. He said the 2015 edition of the world day of
catholic schools was unique. “The relationship between the catholic education
family and the south west regional delegation of secondary education has been
smooth and cordial. We share in the joy of the catholic education family”
Francis Ngundu said adding that “we must train Cameroonians who can bring about
positive change. We laud the brilliant performances of your colleges and urge
the students and management of the various colleges to keep the flag flying”.
Enter the education secretary
In a speech
that attracted much approbation, the charismatic and exceedingly intelligent
Catholic education Secretary of the Buea Diocese, Rev Fr Alexander Nougi Sob
said “As catholic schools we are proud of our educational network that
emphasizes intellectual, physical, spiritual, moral and social values in the
students. We are unique in the type of education we offer our pupils and
students. We do not just vie for a secular education, but have a blend of moral
and spiritual”.
While
Chronicling on what makes the Diocese of Buea stands out tall and unique in the country, Rev Fr. Alexander Sob who
holds a master degree in educational administration said “ while
other Diocese are closing schools due to poor enrolment, drop in government
subvention that teachers cannot be paid regularly , the Diocese of Buea stands
out tall. In fact the education family delighted to announce the birth of 14new
catholic schools. That is 8catholic nursery schools and 6 primary schools with
each of the seven districts having at least two new schools” the versatile
priest cum educationist noted adding that “This growth is not only limited to
the primary sector, the secondary too is also pleased to announce the birth of
two colleges in the house; we have the Enrichetta’s comprehensive secondary school
Mukunda-Limbe and the Sasse Evening school”.
Statistics that speak
Official figures have it that for the academic
2015/2016, the total number of schools (nursery,primary and secondary) in the
Diocese of Buea stands at 132 as against 117 as of last year. Officials say
there has also been explosion in enrolment in both regular and evening schools.
Population figures for the primary schools stands at 21.005 as against 20.561
indicating an increase of 444 pupils. For colleges, there exist a total population
of 6,758 as against 6,349 for the 2014/2015 academic year. The teacher staff in
the schools has also witnessed a significant increase. The total number of
teacher stands at 1206 with a college staff of 559 for the current academic
year. 
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