Vie associative et parcours scolaire des élèves de classes de terminale des établissements d’enseignement privés et publics de la ville de Yaoundé

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation is to explore the factors associated with the involvement of young people in associative activities which improve the academic career of secondary school students in the city of Yaoundé. The study starts from the observation that despite the obligatory nature of associative activities within establishments (Interministerial Order No. 242M/L/729/MINEDUC/MJS of October 25, 1979), their existence in certain establishments is optional. Even if they exist, they only favor academic fields, thus leaving aside other fields, namely sport, art, social, media, politics, etc. However, any associative activity is a factor of development, of a feeling of self-determination and contributes to the balance of the physical, intellectual, emotional, ethical or social components of their training. The study is based on a comprehensive paradigm and adopts a qualitative design. She addressed the students of the Terminale class of the Lycée Bilingue d’Etoug-Ebé and the Collège François Xavier Vogt, two secondary education establishments in the city of Yaoundé. The data, collected using interviews and focus group discussions with said students, were analyzed using the thematic content analysis method. The results show that involvement in associative activities, beyond the utilitarian, relational and altruistic aspects, improves the academic career of secondary school students in the city of Yaoundé. In other words, providing help to others, making yourself useful and defending your ideas within an association allows you to give yourself value. Young people who join associations want, by “combining business with pleasure”, to develop the ideas they have about themselves and others. The association, as a transitional area, allows the adolescent, separated from the family environment, to be able to maintain the continuity of being.