As throughout the territory, the streets of the 5th arrondissement of the city of Yaoundé are invaded by multicolored strips. Backpacks, shoulder bags or in their hands, the students take the directions of their different schools. On foot, on motorbikes, in taxis or accompanied by their parents, the pupils return to school after the school holidays.
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The traditional traffic jams also made their comeback on the Total Ngousso-Fougerolles section. At the local market, it’s teeming with people very early in the morning. ” I wanted to accompany them myself before going to work“says a government executive at the wheel of his car. The man leaves the two high school students at the roadside and heads for the primary school for the other two. Makeshift counters were born on the sidewalks. There are slates, chalk, academic boxes, kits, notebooks, slates,… It’s the same atmosphere on the unpaved alley that serves the Lycée de Ngousso-Ngoulemekong. Between the comings and goings of vehicles, the students weave their way, dodging the pools of water. The shops are in the colors of the new school year. Tenues of the high school and the primary school of the corner abound in front of the stores and even the dwelling houses. The gargotes are no exception. A few rare customers deviate from the rule and talk about beer. For the most part, we are more interested in the school.
Sewing workshops are taken by storm. Of the ” apachers » posted in front of the various shops and on the road scrutinizing the actions of passers-by, looking for customers for school clothes. These small shops are full of parents and students in search of tenuous. Annette was accompanied by her younger sister for the occasion. ” The first days of the new school year, we are generally overwhelmed with work. It is difficult to sit down (Sic)”, launches this seamstress accustomed to the corner. Each of them serves three or four customers at a time. We put on a outfit, then take it off, for another. A boy struggles to find a size: “You even attended when you were already in high school asks the servant, amused; before serving him a “my congratulations my son”. Some have not provided the belt. They will be offered pieces of fabric for the cause.
Discipline
The entrance to the school is swarming with people. Many new students are accompanied by their parents who are camping, while their pupils are already in class. ” Ma’am, you can’t come in. leave it alone“Launches the porter on duty. The lady insists: “he is new, he has just had the competition, he does not know his class”, she tries to explain. Niet! “He is not a child; he will know how to find himself alone. Failing that, there are people who can help him. He’s no longer a child “, reiterates the security guard who is regularly harassed by parents who are a little too cuddly towards their kids. Some parents came to pay school fees. ” Come back at 9am; for the moment we welcome the students“Says the information officer, who supports security officials. “I wanted to pay once to free myself. I have to be in the office before 8am begs a parent whose child was taken out of the vehicle to enter on foot. ” Only students and teachers are currently entering. Moreover, those responsible for education and stewardship are not there yet.“, we answer him. By stating that ” there is no emergency at school. You can come back even next month».
For this first day, the gate remained open until 8:30 am. On the other hand, the discipline is already applied. Some students, especially the boys, kept their hair. They were asked to go and comb their hair before returning. “Go in and get your hair done,” the security guard repeated each time. Pullovers are prohibited on the tenure. This disciplinary officer at the entrance also sees to the dress code. Advising to wear “the sweater underneath”. For girls, the belt should not be hanging, but tied. All under the passive assistance of a few gendarmes posted here since early morning.
