Let's Talk About School

Well I guess I should share a bit about school here in Cameroon seeing as how that's where I spend a good amount of my time being a teacher and all. But let me preface/warn that school here is so different from school in America that I will most likely end up writing multiple entries and still not even cover but half of how different it is. And even then it's really just one of those things you would have to experience to fully grasp. But I will try. Here we go.

Where to begin- mmm with the students. Let's take a look from a student's point of view. Ok scenario- so it's a week or two before school starts. Youneed to register with the school. When you do so, you must show a medical card with your medical history. You also need to pay which depending on your grade level could vary from not too expensive (10,000cfa) to kind of really expensive (30,000+cfa) (when you at least compare to the fact that school is free in the US). Then you need to get your uniform made. At my school, they all wear a solid blue uniform. Girls must of course wear a dress while boys wear pants and a button up. On your uniform, you must also have your name and class stitched on the chest in red thread. Then if you have the money, you would try to buy some of the books for a few of your classes (but most do not- for example in my class with about 60 students, maybe 6 have the book). Ok now you are set for school.

Well school stars the first week of September but you kind of go maybe if you don't have other things going on. And if you do go, you maybe have class if any teachers show up to teach. Then after the first week, everyone is for the most part finally back and things are moving. So Monday morning you get up and get moving to school. Depending on how far you live, you will want to leave around 6:30am to walk to school and be there by 7:15am. (Now keep in mind this is just my school in my town. It takes me 45 mins - I think other students are even farther). Also it being Monday, you should really try to be a little early for the assembly- every Monday you and all the students line up in front of the flagpole. You watch some students raise the Cameroonian flag and sing the national hymn. Then the principal addresses the entire school.

Monday Assembly

Ok now school can start. You slowly startto see what your schedule is like. As a student, you stay in one classroom with the same group of students all day which the size of your class could vary from maybe 30-100+. Your teachers come in during their period and teach. You have about 8 different subjects although you could possibly not have a teacher for a subject or two. Classes are an hour long starting at 7:30am and ending at 3:00pm. You have 2 breaks a day- one 15-minutes and one 20-minutes. During the breaks, you can go to the 'market' aka the area where a few moms come and sell food like beignets, bread and beans but remember there isn't exactly a cafeteria or placeto sit down and eat. On Wednesday school ends early- 12:40 for clubs which may or may not actually function. And then you could possibly have class on Saturday if a teacher needs to make up classes. Now subjects vary from good old math, English, French, history and sciences But now don't forget manual labor- yes this is a class and you get a grade for it.

Students walking home from school

In class you sit on a wooden bench connected to a table all of which is long enough to fit up to about 6-7 students (small students that is). During class you copy a bunch of notes as you probably don't have books so you will want to make sure you get all the notes you can to study. In your classroom, you only have the desks and blackboard. As a student, you are also expected to keep your classroom clean to the chef de classe (head of class) will create groups of students and you will be assigned a day every week to clean the room.

Ok well that is just a brief intro to school here in Cameroon or at least here in my town Banyo. I'll add more later for sure....

Getting Around

So getting around aka like going anywhere is a little different here. You can't exactly just jump into you car and hit the road. Nope.

So starting with the basics- first you can always walk. Yes good old walking on foot. This is my personal favorite mode of transportation and the one I use most often. I walk to the market, to other people's houses, even to school. Walking is nice - you get to see people and enjoy the town, get some exercise and enjoy the weather. Now walking does take some time though so you need to plan. For example, I get up at 5am every morning so I can leave by 6:30am because it's about a 45 minute walk to school. But it's not bad and hey walking is free.

Well if you are running late, maybe it's extra hot out or there's a lot of mud or dust - your next option for getting where you need to go is a moto taxi. Here in Banyo, next to walking this is about the only other way you can get anywhere in town (unless you happen to have your own car which most people don't). So you can find a moto just about anywhere walking down the street. Some intersections are busier than others. And you do need to be a bit cautionary - some of these drivers haven't exactly finished school aka they are maybe 15 years old so you need to first tell them where you want to go. Then tell them 'doucement' so they don't drive like a speed maniac and then of course if along the way it appears they are going in the wrong direction, just point them in the correct one- they are not known for their accuracy or knowledge of some locations in town. But motos are certainly convenient and usually only 100CFA a trip so not bad. And you would be very surprised at what a moto driver can carry or how many people he can fit on one bike. I've seen 5 people on one and I've personally carried a table on another.

Moto drivers in the market

Now by foot and motos are for in town travel. When it comes to travelling to other cities and around the country, you have some other options. There are agencies where you buy a ticket to a city and you usually go in a van. Here is Banyo there are a few agencies to choose from. They are not too bad- it just depends on how long you ride is and how bad the road is. And again, as with motos, you'd be suprised how much stuff and how many people they can cram into one van (look back at my entry about getting to post- you can see just how much crap they can pile on top).

Mayo Banyo Voyage

MBV Van

Another option is taking a private vehicle. Now I have not yet done this to a larger city, but you go to a gare and pay for a seat and then basically have to wait around until all the seats are sold and the car is ready to go. The cars are for some reason usually red and old little Toyotas. And now if you think after 5 seats have been sold that means the car is full, you are mistaken. Nope, at least 7 passengers in a car. And I took a car one time to a smaller town about 45 minutes away- we had 4 people up front, 5 in the back seat and 2 people sat on the roof. Anything is possible.

Gare in Banyo

Then another option if you are heading to the north from maybe the capital is the train. And you cant take this at night but don't think that means you'll be getting much sleep while traveling. Apparently you need to watch your stuff pretty well while on the train.

Now these are just some of the more common ways of getting around in town and to other towns. There are a few more options- like in bigger cities you can take a regular car taxi- but their still not like taxis back home- oh no- just because you are in the car does not mean the driver will not pick up more passengers along the way. They really economise here. Oh and then did I also mention that most of the roads are not paved- yeah. So some things to keep in mind while traveling- wear comfortable clothes, maybe take a book because you will most likely be waiting around for a car or van to leave (oh yeah they never leave on time if they even have a scheduled time to begin with at all), be prepared in case you car breaks down or you get stuck along the road, oh and make sure when traveling to other towns you take your identity card- you will be stopped by the police. And as overwhelming as traveling and transportation can be sometimes, it is certainly an adventure. So you have that to look forward to.

World Teachers Day!

October 5 - what do you think of when you hear this date? Just another regular day? Well maybe in America, but here in Cameroon October 5 is a day dedicated to celebrating teachers! It is World Teachers Day (journee mondiale de l'enseignant - it is an international holiday so Cameroon isn't the only country celebrating). But what exactly goes on for this day?

Well the festivities first kicked off or atleast preparation for festivities began about 2 weeks prior when the teachers began purchasing pagne (fabric) for the day. (Yes I don't think I've mentioned this, but of course every holiday gets its very own fabric every year so of course you have to buy it) Anyway so my school began collecting money and fabric came in. Well then of course you have to get something (an outfit) made. Well all the female teachers at my school decided we should all wear not only obvious matching fabric but a matching style outfit. So we all got our fabric and met up at the tailor and after about an hour debate between a dress or a kabba (traditional outfit-) and in the end, the kabba somehow won out. But overall I was happy and didn't mind- it was niceto be included with the teachers and I mean of course I need my very own kabba so mind as well be teachers day pagne.

Teacher Day Pagne!

the kabba!

The next event for teachers day was actually the Saturday before (October 2) - an athletic walk. Teachers (from not only my school, butall theschools in Banyo) were to meet at 6:30am to walk to the market in Tiket. Well now I showed up at 6:30 and thought this would maybe be an hour walk tops. But oh how I was mistaken. Tiket is actually quite a walk outside Banyo. I almost thought we'd end up in Nigeria (not really though). But we walked and walked and walked some more and finally arrived at the market in Tiket - about 45-60 minute walk out. Then before turning around, we of course had to do some stretches and mini-aerobics exercises. Upon returning to Banyo around 9:30am, we were treated to juice, water and of course everyone wants a beer at 9:30am so there was that as well. Andalthough I was slightly tired and sweaty, overall the walk as nice - got to see Tiket and lots of countryside and some exercise.

Now- for the actual October 5. For starters, there was no school (duh) but alas we teachers still needed to wake up early for a parade which was to start at 8:00am. So I got up, put on my kabba and grabbed my camera. Walking to the meeting point, people shout "bonne fete" - very nice. Then well the parade was on African time- so it actually started a little after 9am - we all got into rows, the drums and horn started and off we went down the main strip of Banyo to the technical high school. Upon arrival, all teachers filed in to hear some speeches and a round table discussion all followed by cocktails.

Parade

Then later in the afternoon, there was a football (aka soccer) match between secondary and elementary school teachers. And then even later in the evening there were various parties at people's house with food and drinks and dancing. Which unfortunately I have did not attend - but let me explain - one downside to Teachers Day - there is school the next day. So if you go out and party, you still have to get up around 5am (or at least I do to be at school by 7:30) so I passed on the evening party in exchange for a good night sleep. But all around, teachers day was a nice break from school and a day dedicated to celebrating teachers. And I have another year to do it all again so maybe next year I will actually attend the party.