A Discussion with Nicolas Ngom, Teacher at Abbot David Boilat Applied School, Center for Pedagogical Training, Mbour, Senegal
With: Nicolas Ngom Berkley Center Profile
July 22, 2015
Background: As
part of the Education and Social Justice Project, undergraduate student
Sabrina Khan interviewed Nicolas Ngom, who serves as a teacher at Abbot David Boilat
Applied School (l’Ecole
d’Application Abbé David Boilat), a primary school part of the
Center for Pedagogical Training (CFP) in Mbour. In this interview, conducted in
July 2015, Ngom discusses his passion for teaching children in the Catholic
school system.
What do you like the
most about teaching youth?
First, I love children. A child is a being who is innocent, who has need of help, to be approached, and who is in need of love. That is what pushed me to embrace this career. I had worked for nearly 18 years with children. In Kaolack, I told myself I needed to find a job that allows me to work more with children. And God asked me to serve in the world of youth.
In general, what do you think attracts Muslim parents to Catholic schools?
It’s the seriousness, the rigor, and education of values in particular. A lot of families prefer Catholic schools to the public system. Catholic education transmits family values. Today, there is a problem in families, because a lot of parents do not have the time to take care of their children. In the Catholic system, parents can continue to teach their children values at school.
First, I love children. A child is a being who is innocent, who has need of help, to be approached, and who is in need of love. That is what pushed me to embrace this career. I had worked for nearly 18 years with children. In Kaolack, I told myself I needed to find a job that allows me to work more with children. And God asked me to serve in the world of youth.
In general, what do you think attracts Muslim parents to Catholic schools?
It’s the seriousness, the rigor, and education of values in particular. A lot of families prefer Catholic schools to the public system. Catholic education transmits family values. Today, there is a problem in families, because a lot of parents do not have the time to take care of their children. In the Catholic system, parents can continue to teach their children values at school.
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