Bamenda: DDR Centre graduates pioneer batch of kids into Nursery, Primary schools

By Martial Gnoukapasi

Graduating pupils

The graduates, 10 in number are children belonging to ex fighters of the Ambazonian struggle who surrendered their arms and joined the North West centre for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Re-integration.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the kids, the center's coordinator Kum Henry Ichu revealed that some of the ex combatants came to the centre pregnant, some got entangled became pregnant and put to birth at the centre.

This to him is what motivated the creation of a Pre-nursery and Nursery school unit at the centre to offer these children formal education like is the case with  other children in the country.

"We deemed it necessary for these children to have formal education immediately they grew up to school - going age. They deserve the education and care other children in the country gets" says Kum Henry who applauded the head of state for making this happened.

Center's co-ordinator-Kum Henry speaking at graduation ceremony

Of the 10 graduating pupils, 6 completed Pre-nursery and are moving to Nursery with 4 heading to primary school

While thanking the benefactors who made this dream come true for the children, the coordinator said his greatest challenge now is establishing a primary school curriculum for those who've graduated to primary schools.

He appreciated the head teacher and staff for the good work, using the opportunity to solicit support from people of goodwill to aid the centre with didactics and any other form of contribution to help him realize the educational needs of the kids.

The head teacher - an ex fighter by name Yembo Evans, said as a grade one teacher who graduated in 2014/15, it was an another honour given to him to mentor the children by the centre after the presidential olive branch of peace and pardon extended to him by President Biya.

Head teacher - Yembo Evans

He thanked the center's coordinator for his appointment and pledge his commitment to continue with his teaching services.

In presenting the challenges faced he decried the fact that "We don't have good classrooms and enough didactic materials"

"Finance is an issue. I mostly benefit from the allowances provided me by the coordinator Kum Henry because I haven't been matriculated or intergrated into public service since my graduation as a grade one teacher" Yembo added.

He expressed his desire for government to look at the situation.

Handing over of school report cards and cutting of the graduation cake

The pupils who thrilled their audience with a welcome song & ryhmes bagged home their report cards and certificates, with special prizes awarded to those who distinguished themselves academically.

A pupil reciting his poem

The graduation ceremony presented an opportunity for the centre to announce their in-house football tournament bringing together 4 teams;

-Patriotic FC

-Unity FC

-Peace FC and

-Intergration FC.

The tournament to start Saturday June 24th will culminate with a trophy and a cash prize according to Mr Kum Henry.

Find below an Mnews237 pictorial of graduation ceremony.