In Chad, a quiet but profound crisis is unfolding within the education system. Across numerous institutions, a noticeable decline in student discipline directly jeopardizes the development of the nation’s future leaders. Addressing this urgent national challenge requires a collective commitment and shared responsibility among schools, families, and society as a whole.

Behaviors such as disrespect towards teaching staff, frequent altercations, the misuse of mobile phones during lessons, vandalism of school property, and acts of violence, once considered isolated incidents, are now increasingly common. This alarming trend is a source of deep concern for educators, school administrators, and parents alike.

This troubling reality is no longer a secret. In many secondary schools and colleges, both in the capital N’Djamena and across the country’s interior, classes are routinely disrupted. Teachers report a heavy atmosphere where maintaining student attention, order, and respect often feels like an impossible feat. Confronted with students who are increasingly resistant to authority, many education professionals feel powerless, even with established internal regulations and disciplinary protocols in place.

Fundamentally, 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 the importance of boundaries. Michel Ngardiguina, a French teacher in a N’Djamena high school, expressed his frustration: “Today, teaching has become incredibly difficult. Some students no longer accept remarks or the authority of teachers. Sometimes, a simple reminder to maintain order can provoke insults or aggressive reactions. Without parental support at home, the school alone cannot correct all these deviations.”

Amina Moussa, a parent encountered in Walia Barrière, N’Djamena, shared her perspective: “Many parents are preoccupied by economic hardships and no longer adequately supervise their children. Phones and social media exert enormous influence on students today. We must reclaim our educational role and collaborate more with teachers to safeguard our children’s future.” Indeed, numerous parents, grappling with economic struggles, heavy family responsibilities, or simply a lack of time, completely delegate this crucial mission to educational institutions. Consequently, some students grow up without clear moral compasses. They become vulnerable, without proper guidance, to external influences, particularly social media and negative peer groups, often lacking sufficient awareness of the importance of their own education.

The school, by itself, cannot shoulder this entire responsibility. Its role is undeniably essential for transmitting knowledge and instilling values of civility, discipline, and coexistence. However, schools often receive children who arrive in class with already weakened educational foundations.

When fundamental benchmarks are not firmly established within the family unit, schools find themselves on the front lines, facing behaviors that are challenging to rectify. An educational system weakened by chronic indiscipline inevitably risks producing citizens ill-prepared for the demands of the modern world.

This critical situation demands a collective awakening. Neither schools nor parents can succeed in isolation. Close and consistent collaboration is now imperative 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 in its classrooms. For a nation aspiring to development, restoring school authority and reinforcing parental responsibility constitute a national emergency. The time for mere observation is over; concerted action is now essential.