The President of the French Language Teachers Association of Nigeria (FLATAN) Rivers State Chapter, Mrs. Sarah Blackduke has advised the French government to do much more in assisting French language teachers to study abroad in order to gain deeper knowledge of the French language and positively impact students at all levels.
Mrs. Blackduke stated this during the 2012 State French competition organized annually by FLATAN in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise, Port Harcourt, on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Model Girls Secondary School, Rumueme, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Blackduke noted that French teachers in Rivers State have been working so hard in their various capacities to propagate the language.
“French language teachers have also been featuring in national French competitions, improving their knowledge through personal efforts and the monthly brain storming sessions at the Alliance Francaise, Port Harcourt and therefore need support from the Rivers State Ministry of Education,” she advocated.
“Be hold and discard fear, do your best as you represent your school in this competition,” she advised the participating students, adding, “We thank the French government for their support over the years.”
In his opening remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Eymard, Director, Alliance Francaise, Port Harcourt and French Ambassador to Nigeria, expressed satisfaction over the wonderful support given him by French teachers, students, the commissioner, Rivers State Ministry of Education and corporate bodies, to move the French language forward through arts and culture, exhibitions and competitions, especially in Rivers State.
The competition which featured drama and quiz, including solo, and poem presentations by nursery and primary pupils was interesting, fun-filing and warm as participating schools showcased their mastery of the French language through the efforts of the passionate teachers. The students from the competing schools such as Airforce Secondary School, Government Comprehensive Secondary School Borikiri, Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, LASEC Model School Eleme, Uniport International Secondary School and International Secondary School RSUST, thrilled and captivated the panel of judges.
At the end of competition ISS (RSUST), winner of last year’s state and national competitions in Benue State emerged 1st position followed by Airforce Secondary School (2nd position), FGC P.H (3rd position) and LASEC Model School Eleme 4th in the drama category.
While in the quiz category FGC emerged 1st position as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions went to ISS, LASEC Model School and Uniport International School respectively.
The winning teams were giving useful resource materials in French by the Alliance Francaise and presented by MR. Emmanuel Eymard.
In their words of encouragement, the French representative from the Rivers State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Asime Dandison-Brown, lauded the effort of the teachers who taught with passion, despite the discouraging environment and urged all French language teachers at all levels to keep up the good work while Mrs. Grace E. Karibo (former FLATAN President) reiterated the fact that winning at the national French Drama competition requires thorough consideration of ‘THEME’: the use of symbolism, irony etc., to bring home valuable lessons should not be undermined, as these do not directly attack or oppose government, corporate bodies and individuals, and encouraged all to work hard.
Dignitaries who attended the event include Dr. (Mrs.) Priye Iyalla-Amadi, Sir (Dr.) Elechi Amadi, MR. B. Houssou, Mr. Moctar, heads of schools among others.
By Angela Inyena Anietie
