PARENTS CRITICIZE GOVERNMENT’S INTRODUCTION OF 11 FEBRUARY FABRIC

Just like the wearing of fabrics during Women’s Day celebration on 8 of March every year, the Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Youths Affairs and Civic Education has introduced the 11 February or Youth Day fabric beginning this February 2016.

Controversial 11 February Celebration  Fabric

Primary schools would have to wear Green, Red for Secondary Schools, Yellow for higher institutions of learning and blue for march past supervisors. 

The prices too vary. Reports say the fabrics cost approximately 6500Fcfa ($11)  for six yards, 5000Fcfa ($ 9) for four yards 3500 Fcfa ($8) for three yards and 2300 Fcfa($4) for two yards. The fabrics are already on sale in schools.

The Minister for Youth and Civic Education, Mounouna Fotso is quoted as saying the purchase of the fabric is not obligatory and described the introduction of the fabric as “Initiatives des Jeunes (a Youth initiative).

Minister Fotso: Running Short of Ideas?

Attempts at getting to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education to further explain whether pupils and students without the fabric would be allowed to march have been futile. 


Their telephone line rang severally with no one picking. Their website seems inexistent! Some government education officials contacted simply directed questions to Yaoundé which they said decided.


             PARENTS ANGRY

Since the introduction of the 11 February Youth Day fabric many parents and school proprietors have been reacting angrily over the move.

The Director and Proprietor of St Louis University Institute of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Bamenda, Dr Nick Ngwanyam, had mix feelings over the introduction of the fabric.

Dr Ngwanyam: Its an unexpected expenditure

“My opinion was not even sought before the introduction of the fabric. I will have to buy for a few who will use them during the march past. It is an expenditure that we never budgeted for.  If those in the urban areas can afford, what about those in the urban areas?  

It’s an idea they could have better used to celebrate the 11 of February but it becomes costly for parents who are just back from the festive period. What is the essence of a fabric that would be use only once?” he questioned.

“This is outrageous and I'm shocked that the Head of State is silent over such an issue. Now that the fight against corruption is giving ministers no room to embezzle some are using their creativity to exploit poor Cameroonians. This is a case in hand. The so called free education is a mere statement till date; the so called minimum package is more of a shame, reduced to a few pens and chalk. 

Moki Charles: Mr Biya Should Stop them

The Ministry of Youth affairs should think of better strategies of addressing problems of youths rather than resorting to exploitative and discriminatory tactics. I would have given them a clap if this fabric was to be made available to all youths free of charge. But now how shall we take those who will be able to afford it? And for the poor children whose parents won't be able? 

I know parents with six kids even and who are unable to buy exercise books for these children.  I know my country too well. Don’t be surprised to hear tomorrow this fabric becomes a compulsory school accessory which will be required even to have access to examination classes. It is outright nonsense. I think the Head of State should step in and stop this rubbish if only he's even aware of what is going on,” said a Douala based parent Moki Charles Linonge.

The Secretary General of the Cameroon Teacher’s Trade Union, CATTU, Tasang Wilfred said his trade Union demands explanations from education authorities. 

“We are due to meet the Basic Education officials tomorrow (January 15 2016) to get an explanation. For now nobody has explained the raison d’etre of the introducing such a fabric which seems to us like a money making venture.  We need explanations before we could take a definite stand,” he said.

Wilfred Tasang: We Need Explanations

On February 11, 1961 a plebiscite was held in the former British Cameroons, aimed at deciding its fate - gain independence by integrating with the Federal Republic of Nigeria or the already independent French Cameroon - despite strong support for a third option.

The then Southern British Cameroons opted to join French Cameroon while their counterparts in the North cast their votes in favour of joining the Nigerian Federation. Many contemporary Anglophone activists regret this decision.