A Discussion with Melquisédéque Benjamin Ndafate, Student at Saint Pierre College, Dakar, Senegal
With: Melquisédéque Benjamin Ndafate Berkley Center Profile
July 28, 2015
Background: As
part of the Education and Social Justice Project, undergraduate student
Sabrina Khan interviewed Melquisédéque Benjamin Ndafate, a student at Saint
Pierre College (Collège Saint Pierre) in Dakar, Senegal. In this interview,
conducted in July 2015, Ndafate discusses his experience in the Catholic
education system.
Who chose Saint
Pierre? Was it your parents?
Actually, the Sisters paid for my schooling, and it was they who chose Saint Pierre because it is a good school. But I have to say that I am not unhappy. I see that the Sisters were right to bring me to Saint Pierre. It’s one of the best schools here. So I am happy to be here.
Is your family Catholic?
Yes. But, here, we all coexist like brothers.
Is Catholic education important to your family?
You can say that private Catholic schools are better because, first of all, we don’t have strikes or academic problems. We have stability. The frequent use of the French language must also be noted. There is also the development of the person—we learn how to be part of society. There is also the quality of education, like excellent teachers. Thanks to that, I was able to pass the baccalaureate.
Could you elaborate upon the quality of teaching?
The teachers ask us to pose a lot of questions and to discuss the lessons and do exercises at home. They motivate the students to do the exercises. We are a family. We can speak with the teachers; they know our problems. They help us with our problems. They permit us to develop professionally and socially.
What role does faith play in instruction at Collège Saint Pierre?
Faith brings us to school. The Bible tells us to seek knowledge. Knowledge is in our studies. We are obligated to study. It is also necessary to learn French to be able to listen to priests at church and to read the Bible. It’s necessary to educate yourself to improve your faith and to better understand what you believe in. In religion, one must respect one’s elders. Based on this concept, we respect our professors. We accept our peers. Solidarity is present in Senegal, and in Catholic schools, and even in secular and Islamic schools.
What do you want to do in the future as a career?
I want to become a sociologist or a diplomat.
Actually, the Sisters paid for my schooling, and it was they who chose Saint Pierre because it is a good school. But I have to say that I am not unhappy. I see that the Sisters were right to bring me to Saint Pierre. It’s one of the best schools here. So I am happy to be here.
Is your family Catholic?
Yes. But, here, we all coexist like brothers.
Is Catholic education important to your family?
You can say that private Catholic schools are better because, first of all, we don’t have strikes or academic problems. We have stability. The frequent use of the French language must also be noted. There is also the development of the person—we learn how to be part of society. There is also the quality of education, like excellent teachers. Thanks to that, I was able to pass the baccalaureate.
Could you elaborate upon the quality of teaching?
The teachers ask us to pose a lot of questions and to discuss the lessons and do exercises at home. They motivate the students to do the exercises. We are a family. We can speak with the teachers; they know our problems. They help us with our problems. They permit us to develop professionally and socially.
What role does faith play in instruction at Collège Saint Pierre?
Faith brings us to school. The Bible tells us to seek knowledge. Knowledge is in our studies. We are obligated to study. It is also necessary to learn French to be able to listen to priests at church and to read the Bible. It’s necessary to educate yourself to improve your faith and to better understand what you believe in. In religion, one must respect one’s elders. Based on this concept, we respect our professors. We accept our peers. Solidarity is present in Senegal, and in Catholic schools, and even in secular and Islamic schools.
What do you want to do in the future as a career?
I want to become a sociologist or a diplomat.
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