A rushed start to the course, visibly improvised and much earlier than usual, on 1is September, an illegible school calendar, without real reference points and to add to the cacophony, an end of term in total confusion. There was crestfallen expression in many schools on Saturday, where parents of particularly angry students could be seen. For good reason, they were unable to collect the end of term report cards for their level 6 children.th5thSecond and First.
It’s D-Day, in the schools that the parents of the students have discovered completely disoriented, notes postponing the delivery of report cards to the students of the levels indicated above, posted here and there in the schools of Greater Libreville notably. Others, on the other hand, confided that they had been informed just the day before, on the forums of the EPAs to which they belong.
The sinister expression, Viviane N., in her forties, mother of a student enrolled 5th at Nelson Mandela High School, understands nothing of what he describes as ”contempt” towards the parents and clearly showed his dissatisfaction. “I understand that the calendar for the academic year was published a long time ago and we were informed that the bulletins were handed out today. It’s really a lack of consideration for the parents of students that we are by wandering around like this and a guilty and unacceptable amateurism on the part of the Ministry of National Education”she dryly fumed.
Many administrators and teachers met in schools in Greater Libreville, speaking on condition of anonymity, report that the decision to withdraw 6th grade classesth5th2nde et 1eraof the bulletin submission sessions for the first quarter, was decreed at the last minute by ministerial supervision and postponed for before Christmas, between December 14 and 21, 2024.
It concerns, they confided, beyond Greater Libreville, all the school districts of the country and would emanate from ministerial supervision, for good reason ”irregularities on APCs” (competence-based approaches), without further details. Clearly, this means that the teaching and evaluation of students at the levels concerned were organized on the basis of non-approved and validated programs.
If this is true, this decision does not fail to raise legitimate concerns, as much as it raises questions. How could we allow courses to take place for an entire term with irregularities in the programs or PAC? But how was it possible to organize homework and evaluations even though they were likely to be canceled for non-compliance?
As paradoxical as it may seem, the grades and results for level 6th5th2nde et 1era retained and not communicated, are known to parents and students themselves; since available on the X-GEST platform. So what will happen now? So many responses awaited by the educational community, particularly by parents of students.
Beyond this incident, the Ministry of National Education should lift the veil on a number of incongruities noted during the current school year, marked in particular by enormous pitfalls, the grossest of which concerns the glaring lack teachers of scientific subjects, maths and physical sciences in particular, in sensitive series and classes, in almost all of the country’s public schools, notably the most emblematic ones such as the Lycées Léon Mba, Paul Indjendje Gondjout or Nelson Mandela, etc., while the first trimester is consumed.
To tell the truth, this school year couldn’t be any more ”Way-Way”with a calendar coming out of nowhere. By way of illustration, children currently benefit from a week of vacation, called intermediate, which nothing or even no local reality justifies.
In France, which is the least poorly known example in our tropics and where this period is “free” for schools, coincides with the cold peaks, the harsh period of the winter season currently experienced there and during which is suitable for keeping little ones warm.
M.-O. Cute
2024-12-01 19:21:00
#academic #calendar #WayWay #school #year
What concrete actions can the Ministry of National Education take to rebuild trust with parents, teachers, and students after this incident?
## Gabon’s Education System in Turmoil: An Interview with Francois Ndong
**Good evening and welcome back. Tonight, we delve into the chaos engulfing Gabon’s education system. Last Saturday, hundreds of exhausted parents across Greater Libreville, and indeed the entire country, found themselves dismayed upon arriving at schools only to be turned away empty-handed. Term end report cards for 6th, 5th, 2nd, and 1st-grade students were nowhere to be found.**
**Joining us tonight to shed light on this situation is Francois Ndong, a teacher and dedicated parent advocate. Francois, thank you for being here.**
**Francois:** Thank you for having me. This whole situation is frankly disheartening.
**Let’s start with the basics. Parents nationwide were told to collect their children’s report cards, only to be met with subsequent delays and abrupt postponements. Can you shed some light on what exactly transpired?**
**Francois:** It appears this was a last-minute decision by the Ministry of National Education, driven by “irregularities” in the competence-based approach programs implemented this term. Essentially, the curriculum and assessments were not properly vetted or approved by higher authorities.
**So, courses ran for an entire term with uncertified programs? How could this happen?**
**Francois:** That’s the question everyone is asking. Many teachers and administrators are understandably anxious and exasperated. Imagine the confusion and frustration for both students and parents who invested time and energy only to be told their efforts might be rendered meaningless.
**Adding to the frustration is the fact that these grades are already accessible on the X-GEST platform. While not officially released, parents and students can already see their results. What happens now? What message does this send about transparency and accountability within Gabon’s education system?**
**Francois:** It paints a bleak picture. These arbitrary delays and conflicting information demonstrate a lack of respect for the students, parents, and the tireless work of dedicated teachers.
**We’ve seen calls for clarity from the Ministry of National Education. What needs to happen to restore trust and ensure a more stable and robust education system for Gabon’s youth?**
**Francois:** Firstly, absolute transparency. The Ministry needs to clearly communicate the nature of these “irregularities”, how they plan to rectify the situation, and ensure that future academic calendars and programs are thoroughly vetted before implementation. Secondly, open dialog with teachers, parents, and students is crucial. This isn’t just about grades; it’s about the future of education in Gabon.
**Thank you, Francois, for your insights. This is certainly a developing situation that demands close attention. We will continue to follow developments and keep our viewers updated.**