INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL PRACTICES OF THE BAKA PEOPLE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GEOGRAPHY CURRICULUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE EAST REGION OF CAMEROON

Abstract

The Baka people, an indigenous forest community in Cameroon's East Region, hold a distinct body of social practices, ecological knowledge, and cultural values shaped by their historical relationship with the forest environment. This study examines the influence of social practices of the Baka people on the implementation of the geography curriculum in schools within the East Region of Cameroon. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population comprised of Geography teachers and students especially Baka students enrolled in secondary schools in selected Baka community of the East region in the study area. Two instruments were used to collect data which were questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data obtained from the questionnaires were coded and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. These statistics were used to describe the prevalence of particular Baka social practices and participants' perceptions of their influence on Geography curriculum implementation. Inferential analysis was used to examine relationships between selected dimensions of Baka social practices and indicators of curriculum implementation. The findings indicate that Baka social practices have significant implications for curriculum implementation, although their influence should not be understood exclusively in negative terms. Baka livelihood practices, language, cultural values, traditional learning processes and Indigenous environmental knowledge interact with formal schooling in complex ways. Some practices may contribute to irregular attendance or difficulties in adapting to conventional classroom routines, while others provide valuable knowledge and experiences that can enrich Geography education. The study contributes to broader debates on curriculum relevance, indigenous knowledge integration, and educational equity for marginalized populations in Cameroon, and offers recommendations for curriculum policy and teacher training that better reflect the sociocultural realities of indigenous learners. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that Geography teachers should incorporate local examples into classroom instruction. Lessons on ecosystems, natural resources, agriculture, environmental conservation, settlement and human–environment relationships should make use of geographical features and activities familiar to Baka learners. Teacher-training institutions should strengthen preparation in culturally responsive pedagogy. Curriculum developers should provide greater flexibility for the inclusion of Indigenous and local knowledge. schools should make greater use of experiential learning.