The retirement ideal has been changing for years, older people are increasingly unretiring changing the shape of this life. In Cameroon, according to the decree signed by the Head of State President Paul Biya, teachers of category A and B have to retire at the age of 60 while those of category C and D retire at 55.
This however has not been respected by teachers according to the Ministry of basic education. It is normal to find teachers aged 70 and 80 still working desperately in classrooms, reasons why she passed a decree on August 12 urging the teachers to depart from duty post before the start of the school year.
“I have the honor to inform you that on instructions of the Minister , you are expected to ensure that every staff who has attained retirement age and still performing their duties have to depart before the academic year begins”.
This move according to the Minister is to ensure that there is surge in the inflow of younger teachers hence enhance the teaching and learning process.
Teachers on their part have been reacting since the decree was signed. A majority of them say if the minister is insisting that they go on retirement, then they should ensure their arrears are fully paid. The case with Mr Oyongo Phidelia aged 74 and still performing his duty. He says he will leave only if the state makes him leave with honor.
“I started teaching in 1968, I want leave he says but not like this. I will like to be given what I deserve my arrears. There are several other colleagues of mine who have gone on retirement and have been neglected and almost abandoned. They haven’t received their arrears and pension, times without number the Minister promises it will be resolved but nothing.” Majority of us are still teaching because we are waiting for our arrears he insisted”.
It is however important to recognize that retirement is just a phase that was invented, it is not a natural progression on an essential stage of life.