A quiet yet profound crisis is unfolding within Chad’s educational institutions. Across numerous schools, a noticeable decline in discipline directly jeopardizes the preparation of the nation’s future leaders. This pressing national concern necessitates a collective response, with responsibility shared among schools, families, and society at large.

Behaviors once considered isolated incidents are now increasingly prevalent: insolence towards teaching staff, frequent altercations, excessive mobile phone use during class, damage to school property, and acts of aggression. These troubling trends are a significant source of worry for educators, school administrators, and parents alike.

This disturbing reality is no longer a secret. In various high schools and colleges, both in N’Djamena and throughout the interior of Chad, academic instruction is routinely disrupted. Teachers report a tense atmosphere where maintaining student attention, order, and respect often requires extraordinary effort. Confronted by students who are increasingly resistant to authority, many education professionals feel powerless, despite established internal regulations and disciplinary measures.

Crucially, the family remains the primary environment for a child’s socialization. It is within the home that children should first learn respect for authority, the value of hard work, discipline, and boundaries. Michel Ngardiguina, a French teacher at a N’Djamena high school, shares his perspective: “Teaching has become progressively more challenging. Some students no longer accept feedback or the authority of teachers. At times, a simple reminder of rules can provoke insults or aggressive reactions. Without parental support at home, schools alone cannot rectify all these behavioral issues.”

Amina Moussa, a parent encountered in Walia Barrière, N’Djamena, observes: “Many parents are consumed by economic hardships and no longer adequately supervise their children. 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.”

Indeed, numerous parents, grappling with economic difficulties, heavy family responsibilities, or time constraints, completely delegate this crucial mission to educational institutions. The consequence is that some students grow up without clear guidance. They find themselves exposed, without proper supervision, to external influences, particularly social media and negative peer groups, often lacking sufficient awareness of the importance of their own education.

The school system, by itself, cannot bear this entire burden. While its role in imparting knowledge and instilling values of civility, discipline, and communal living is fundamental, it receives children who sometimes arrive in class with already weakened educational foundations.

When foundational benchmarks are not firmly established within the family unit, schools often find themselves on the front lines, dealing with behaviors that are difficult to correct. An educational system weakened by chronic indiscipline will inevitably produce citizens ill-equipped to meet 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 essential, achievable through several concrete actions:

• Strengthening student academic monitoring through regular meetings between parents and teachers;
• Establishing continuous dialogue with adolescents to better understand their challenges;
• Revitalizing parent-teacher associations;
• Multiplying awareness campaigns on the importance 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 reinforcing parental responsibility represent a national imperative. The time for mere observation has passed; concerted action is now required.