Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon.
The education family in the Diocese of Buea are working hard and making a lot of strides in their activities. From April 4 – 6 at the Christ The King College in Tiko, the more than 1,350 teachers and support staff that make up the education department of Buea Diocese gathered to celebrate their achievements, look at their challenges and strategise for the future.
In his sermon during a solemn mass for the celebrations, Mgr. Immanuel Bushu, Bishop of Buea Diocese said the occasion is an opportunity to say a big thank you to teachers, whose endeavours cannot be paid for by man. “Knowledge is priceless. Teachers have the
Award winners with Mgr Bushu
responsibility to mould the people of God. Your pay comes from God, with spiritual blessings. This is the time to rejoice in the education family,” he said.
Mgr. Bushu noted that young people must be educated if they have to be good and their education has to be integral; physical, moral, spiritual and intellectual education.
According to Prelate, it is also a moment of recognition for the efforts being made and encouraging everybody to work harder. “We will continue to get inspiration from our people, there are individuals with a lot of ideas. We welcome those that will make the Diocese progress and enjoin all to live the faith; give ourselves to God’s service and give an answer to our believe. Let them continue to persevere as they have done up to this moment.”
Bishop Bushu admires his KOINONIA-KAIZEN AWARD from the Education Family, Buea Diocese.
Rev.Fr. Alexander Nougi Sob, Education Secretary, Buea Diocese told his teachers, the administrators and the support staff to look at the teaching career as dignifying and a cause beyond oneself.
He invited the education family not to be troubled, not to be frightened, adding that teachers are to be loved, respected and trusted. “My dream is to establish a triangle where teachers can continuously gladly teach and learn. Supervision will be for me a process and a function, not a title or position,” he mentioned.
Fr. Sob told his collaborators that his management style will be focussed on the Japanese philosophies of KOINONIA and KAIZEN, which means they must work as a team and intensify the trust that reigns among them. “It is about collective empowerment and inviting all to improve on the organisation, keep it alive by keeping the goals upfront in the minds of the employees and judging the effectiveness of the organisation in terms of these goals,” he explained.
Pricipals of the Buea diocese get awards
While appreciating the constructive criticisms from the staff delegates and the recently created teachers’ trade union in the Diocese, Fr. Sob said the quest for better working conditions and better results are timely but it is a collective venture.
He thanked Bishop Bushu for his clairvoyance for the successes recorded, praying that he should continue inspiring the education family of the Diocese.
Victoria Lysinge, teacher, Catholic Great Soppo, Buea, who was amongst the more than 300 teachers for this year’s award-winners expressed glee for the initiative and the Bishop’s concern for the work they are doing for the betterment of mankind. “We have to serve as an example to others. The teaching job is not for those who strayed in. It is a job of sacrifice but what you do is rewarding all the time,” she said.
teachers from various schools in Buea were part of the award ceremony
Vice Principal of St. Francis College, Fiango, Kumba, Maurice Kembute bagged home a silver medal (for those who have worked from 15 – 19 years in the catholic education family, Buea Diocese). “This is an indication that the Proprietor, Bishop Bushu recognises what I have been doing. It’s encouraging and I look forward to continue. Let the younger generation take their work seriously, respect rules and regulations and continue to be in the system,” he said.
At its third edition after those of 2007 and 2010, the 2013 edition of the celebration of excellence in the Diocese of Buea saw the introduction of the platinum category after bronze, silver and gold.
For revitalising the education department of Buea Diocese, Mgr Immanuel Bushu, on behalf of the education family was given the KOINONIA-KAIZEN Award.
This year’s theme for the re-union of catholic teachers of the Diocese of Buea is; Celebrating Faith in Excellence.
