Teachers in Cameroonian Catholic Schools Cautioned against Selling Marks, Urged to Form Students in Integrity

Bishop Bibi also urged parents not to encourage teachers to favor their children by offering money or other incentives.

He also warned against the growing challenge of drug abuse and immoral behavior among young people.

The Local Ordinary of Buea, who started his Episcopal Ministry in March 2017 as Auxiliary Bishop of Cameroon’s Bamenda Archdiocese, said Catholic schools cannot remain indifferent when such behaviors affect students and urged teachers never to become part of the problem.

“No teacher should introduce students to drugs, encourage substance abuse, facilitate immoral behavior, or exploit the vulnerability of the students,” he said.

Instead, he said, teachers should serve as protectors and guides by paying attention to changes in students’ behavior, listening to them, correcting them and offering appropriate support.

(Story continues below)

“Listen to them, guide them, correct them, love them, and make sure that you discipline them so that they don’t get involved in habits that would destroy their future,” Bishop Bibi said.

He reminded educators that the children entrusted to Catholic schools belong first to God and their families, who place them in the care of teachers with confidence.

The Bishop of Buea acknowledged the financial and economic challenges facing teachers, families and Catholic educational institutions.

Despite these difficulties, he praised teachers for continuing to make sacrifices in their work.

“As a diocese, we must continue listening to you and working together to improve our Catholic educational institutions and the conditions under which we carry out our mission,” he said.

Bishop Bibi called for continued dialogue between teachers, school administrators, the education secretariat and the bishop so that challenges can be addressed constructively.

As the new academic year begins on September 7, Bishop Bibi urged teachers to approach their work as a vocation rather than simply as employment.

“Do not enter the classroom simply because another academic year has begun. Enter with a mission,” he said.