Depuis jeudi dernier, la Commission nationale pour la promotion du bilinguisme et du multiculturalisme (CNPBM) créée le 23 janvier 2017 par le président de la République est à pied d’œuvre. Installée au nom du chef de l’Etat par le Premier ministre, chef du gouvernement, Philemon Yang, l’équipe conduite par Peter Mafany Musonge s’est tout de suite mise au travail avec les travaux de sa première session qui ont eu lieu le 28 janvier 2017. Face à la presse, le président de la Commission a relevé l’engouement suscité par les Camerounais autour de cette instance. Ainsi, selon lui, les propositions fusent sur ce qu’il convient de faire en vue d’une meilleure implémentation du bilinguisme et du multiculturalisme au sein de la société camerounaise. S’agissant du bilinguisme, la plupart des personnes interrogées penchent pour une refonte du système scolaire en vue de mieux intégrer l’apprentissage de nos deux langues officielles et en faire des outils d’égale valeur, comme le prévoit la Constitution de la République.
Ce qu’ils proposent
Alice Maguedjio: “Trained Bilingual Teachers Required”
Business Woman
“Seeking how to promote the use of English and French languages in Cameroon is fundamental. I think that which is important is first having trained bilingual teachers, those who are able to transmit the bilingual values to the children. Parents in the Francophone section of Cameroon should send their children to the Anglophone section and vice versa for studies. Furthermore, Francophones should attend English schools and Anglophones toFrench schools. But, then, there is a need for a carefully thought educational policy which should bring together the two educational systems within this goal. For those who seek to study to be bilingual to attain their dreams it all depends on the quality and ability of the teachers, who, to me, should be those who are abreast with the task, the vision of the country and challenges. English and French classes should be equal in all bilingual schools.”
Yvette Elisabeth Essamba: « Il faut faire du bilinguisme une condition à une promotion »
Directrice du Centre régional linguistique de Bafoussam
« On a créé la Commission de promotion du bilinguisme et du multiculturalisme. Je crois que cette institution est là pour nous dire que nous devons tous fournir un effort pour être bilingue. Pour moi, si j’avais le pouvoir dans la pratique au Cameroun, je demanderais à tous les fonctionnaires d’aller dans les centres linguistiques pour se former. Que la pratique du bilinguisme ou alors l’obtention d’une attestation de fin de formation bilingue, soit une condition pour une promotion à un poste. Je crois que ça amènerait le plus grand nombre de Camerounais à devenir bilingues. Que la pratique de l’anglais et du français soit une condition dans une ascension. »
Anoufack Pierre: “Commission Should Ensure Effective Bilingualism”
Bamenda Inhabitant
“Now that Commission members have been commissioned, we expect them to focus on their assignment. They must not operate like some members of Commissions who once appointed, they go underground and the results of their work is never known. We expect much from them and they must seek lasting solutions to the problems of Cameroonians living together. They should ensure that bilingualism is effective in all government services. They must give both languages, English and French, equal weight”
Victor Kamdem: “Our Educational System Should Be Revised”
Customs Broker
“I think that bilingualism can be promoted and effective if it starts with our children at the very level of nursery school. Our educational system should be revised such that children can study both languages beginning from the nursery school through secondary and high school to the university level. This requires sensitisation of parents to help their children to attain the bilingual state that is needed in our country nowadays. I am currently studying the English language in an educational centre because I have come to realise that being able to communicate in English and French is of great advantage in this world of today. As for adults like me, I think going back for studies of the English language as a French-speaking Cameroonian or studies of the French language as an English-speaking citizen is laudable. But policy is needed to help more citizens to be interested in studying to be bilingual. From this you will see that there is a great task ahead for the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, it must work to bring the country to this level.”
Akombi Samson Oke: “More Linguistics Centres Should Be Opened”
Director of Buea Linguistics Centre
“I think that Cameroonians have to be sensitized that their country is actually bilingual. I say this because a lot of people don’t take our bilingualism seriously. There is this statement that it is Cameroon that is bilingual and not Cameroonians. if we say this then we are not taking bilingualism serious. In order to promote bilingualism, English and French which are school subjects should also be taken very seriously. The linguistics centres which are found in all the regional headquarters should be visible at divisional headquarters and even subdivisions. So that all Cameroonians should feel that bilingualism is really in action.”