By Joseph Besong
Josepha Fulai, a seasoned educationalist, who got into the Catholic Education Family in 2001, has been appointed as the new principal of the prestigious Regina Pacis College (REPACOL) in Mutengene, Cameroon.
It’s rare for a lay person to be given such a mantle in most Catholic colleges where priests and religious dominate the administrative functions. “It is so self-fulfilling to be appointed to this position. I think the last need of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been satisfied. Being appointed among thousands gives me the feeling that the bishop who is the Proprietor has trust for the laity and has substantiated that trust in me,” Josepha Fulai said.
In an interview accorded Pan African Visions, Josepha Fulai said her vision for REPACOL Mutengene and the Catholic Education family as a whole is to “take the college to greater heights in collaboration with my colleagues and the stakeholders.”
Thank you for accepting to grant us this interview. Our readers will be thrilled to know you in your own words
Josepha Fulai: I am Mrs Josepha Fulai Kange. I am the first child in a family of 4. Married and a mother of 1 biological son, and many adopted children. I attended Catholic Primary School, Fuanantui and Government Primary School, Baingeh. After completion of Primary education, I proceeded to St. Bede’s College, Ashing Kom where I obtained my Ordinary Level. High school education was at Jua Memorial High School Njinikom.
I moved to the University of Buea where I obtained a B.Sc. (Hons) in Business Management in 2001. I joined the Catholic Education Family of the Diocese of Buea to date. Two years back I enrolled for an MSc. program in Management at the University of Buea, with defense pending in the days ahead. I have worked in the Catholic Education Family in the following capacities: Discipline Mistress, Academic Dean and now serve as Principal.
Can you describe to us your journey as a Catholic teacher?
Josepha Fulai: I got to the Catholic Education Family in 2001 through friends who indicated a vacancy. As of that era, I had thirty periods for the first year. From 2002 to 2009, I served as Discipline personnel at Regina Pacis College Mutengene. I was transferred to St. Paul’s College Bonjongo as a classroom teacher in the 2009/2010 academic year. A year later, I was appointed Dean of Studies at St. Paul’s College Bonjongo and an Examination officer in charge of Commercial Examination in the Diocese of Buea.
I was later transferred to Christ the King College (C.K.C) Tiko in the same capacity where I served for two years. As they say: “What goes around, comes around” I was again brought back to REPACOL in 2016 as Dean of Studies till date. It has not been an easy sail though as I have served under fourteen principals, both Rev. Sisters and Priests.
How does it feel to be appointed among thousands to head a Catholic institution in a major Diocese in Cameroon as a lay woman?
Josepha Fulai: It came to me as a surprise but worth mentioning that I felt grateful to be recognized by the Proprietor. It is so self-fulfilling to be appointed to this position. I think the last need of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been satisfied.
Being appointed among thousands gives me the feeling that the bishop who is the Proprietor has trust for the laity and has substantiated that trust in me. It is a challenge as a woman and laity but I will offer my utmost best to overcome this challenge, God being my helper.
As a pedagogue who has put in years of teaching, what are the good teaching qualities in a school milieu?
Josepha Fulai: Yours truly, there should be quality pedagogy. Good teaching qualities in a school milieu include inter alia: communication, creativity, adaptability, empathy, patience, establishing a positive relationship with the students, collegiality sustainer, good listener, collaboration with the hierarchy, a consultant as who ceases to learn, ceasing to teach, exemplary and above all God fearing.
For the Catholic mission in Buea Diocese to entrust her school’s administration in your hands. That shows you are more than an average teacher. What are your secrets?
Josepha Fulai: I don’t think there are any secrets in what I do. But I think doing the following is important: – Be committed – Avoid always being on the complaining page – Be constructive in calling the authorities to consciousness – Always make sure you complete all your assignments and see beyond your nose – Be ready to sacrifice – Try to seek responsibility rather than waiting or running away from it. – Being friendly to all but not jeopardizing your job.
What’s your vision as a seasoned teacher and now a Principal of Regina Pacis College (REPACOL Mutengene), South West Region of Cameroon?
Josepha Fulai: My vision for REPACOL Mutengene and the Catholic Education family as a whole is to take the college to greater heights in collaboration with my colleagues and the stakeholders. Teamwork will do the magic.
Any last words for your colleagues, students and the Catholic Education Family of the Diocese of Buea
Josepha Fulai: My last word to my colleagues is that it is not my appointment, it is ours. I am not better than any of them. It is just one person at a time. We will all be winners as a team. For the students, I wish to say REPACOL will be more than a home to them. For the Catholic Education Family, I promise collaboration, optimism and success.
