Chad’s education system is grappling with a silent but profound crisis. Across many schools, eroding discipline directly undermines the training of the country’s future leaders. This national emergency demands shared responsibility between educational institutions, families, and society at large.

The signs are everywhere: defiance toward teachers, frequent fights, excessive phone use in class, vandalism of school property, and violent incidents. Once rare, these behaviors now occur regularly, alarming educators, school administrators, and parents alike.

This troubling trend is no longer confined to urban areas. From the capital N’Djamena to rural schools, classrooms are frequently disrupted. Teachers describe an increasingly tense atmosphere where maintaining focus, order, and respect often feels like an uphill battle. With students pushing back against authority, many educators feel powerless despite established school codes and disciplinary measures.

The family remains the first and most critical environment for a child’s social development. It is at home that they should learn respect for authority, the value of effort, discipline, and appropriate boundaries. “Teaching today is becoming increasingly difficult. Some students no longer accept any form of correction or acknowledge teachers’ authority. A simple word of advice can sometimes trigger insults or aggressive reactions. Without parental support at home, schools alone cannot address all these issues,” explains Michel Ngardiguina, a French teacher at a N’Djamena high school.

“Many parents are overwhelmed by economic hardships and no longer adequately supervise their children. Phones and social media heavily influence students today. We must reclaim our educational role and work more closely with teachers to safeguard our children’s future,” shares Amina Moussa, a parent from the Walia Barrière neighborhood in N’Djamena.

Unfortunately, many parents, burdened by financial struggles or time constraints, delegate their children’s upbringing entirely to schools. The consequence? Some students grow up without clear guidance, exposed to external influences—especially social media and negative peer groups—without proper awareness of the importance of education.

Schools cannot bear this burden alone. While they play a vital role in imparting knowledge and fostering civic values, discipline, and social cohesion, they also inherit students who arrive with weakened educational foundations. When family values are not firmly established, schools face behaviors that are difficult to correct, risking the production of citizens unprepared for modern demands.

This crisis calls for collective action. Schools and families must collaborate through concrete measures:

• Strengthen student monitoring through regular parent-teacher meetings.
• Engage adolescents in open dialogue to better understand their challenges.
• Revitalize parent-teacher associations to foster community involvement.
• Launch awareness campaigns on the importance of discipline and school rules.

The future of Chad is shaped every day in classrooms. For a nation aspiring to development, restoring school authority and reinforcing parental responsibility is not just urgent—it is a national imperative. The time for observation is over; action is required.