Chad’s educational challenges: tackling school indiscipline with shared responsibility

In Chad, educational institutions are grappling with a silent yet profound crisis. A noticeable erosion of discipline across numerous schools is directly jeopardizing the development of the nation’s prospective leaders. Addressing this urgent national concern necessitates a shared commitment from schools, families, and the broader Chadian society.

Incidents once considered isolated, such as disrespect towards teaching staff, frequent altercations, the misuse of mobile phones during class hours, vandalism of school property, and various acts of violence, are now becoming increasingly common. These concerning behaviors are a source of significant worry for educators, school administrators, and parents alike.

This troubling reality is no longer a secret. Throughout various high schools and colleges in N’Djamena, as well as in rural areas, regular disruptions to lessons are reported. Teachers describe an increasingly tense atmosphere where maintaining student attention, order, and respect often feels like an uphill battle. Faced with students who are increasingly resistant to authority, many education professionals express feelings of helplessness, despite established internal regulations and prescribed disciplinary measures.

Fundamentally, the family unit remains the child’s primary environment for socialization. It is within the home that children should first learn respect for authority, the value of hard work, self-discipline, and the boundaries they must observe. Michel Ngardiguina, a French teacher at a N’Djamena high school, shared his perspective: “Teaching is becoming progressively harder. Some students now refuse to accept feedback or the authority of their teachers. At times, a simple disciplinary reminder can provoke insults or aggressive reactions. Without parental involvement at home, schools alone cannot rectify all these behavioral issues.”

Amina Moussa, a parent encountered in Walia Barrière, N’Djamena, emphasized: “Many parents are preoccupied with economic hardships and no longer adequately monitor their children. Mobile phones and social media exert a tremendous influence on students today. We must reclaim our educational role and collaborate more closely with teachers to safeguard our children’s future.”

However, numerous parents, contending with economic difficulties, heavy family responsibilities, or simply a lack of time, often delegate this crucial mission entirely to the school system. Consequently, some students grow up without clear guidelines. They become vulnerable, lacking proper supervision, to external influences, particularly social media and negative peer groups, without being sufficiently educated on the importance of their own learning.

The school, on its own, cannot shoulder this entire responsibility. While its role is undoubtedly vital for imparting knowledge and instilling values of civic duty, discipline, and coexistence, it often receives children who arrive in class with already weakened educational foundations.

When fundamental principles are not firmly established within the family, the school finds itself on the front lines, confronting behaviors that are challenging to correct. An educational system weakened by persistent indiscipline risks inevitably producing citizens ill-prepared for the demands of the modern world.

This situation now demands a collective awakening. Neither schools nor parents can succeed in isolation. Close and consistent collaboration is imperative, achievable through several concrete actions:

• Enhancing student academic monitoring through regular meetings between parents and teachers;
• Establishing continuous dialogue with adolescents to better understand their challenges;
• Revitalizing parent-teacher associations;
• Increasing awareness campaigns on the significance of discipline and adherence to school rules.

The future of Chad is being shaped daily within its classrooms. For a nation aspiring to development, restoring school authority and strengthening parental responsibility represent a national imperative. The time for mere observation has passed; concerted action is now essential.