The Angolan government and the Sindicato Nacional dos Professores (SINPROF) are set to resume negotiations on Wednesday, 23, in an effort to resolve the ongoing strike that began on Monday. The strike has resulted in the closure of public schools, with the first phase of the paralyze scheduled to last until October 15. According to SINPROF, nine points of agreement have been reached, but significant differences remain.
On Tuesday, 22, Secretary of State for Labor and Social Security Pedro Filipe stated that the government had agreed to include over 50,000 education agents in two phases, with the first phase to be completed in September. He assured that the government is prepared to promote 27,000 Ministry of Education agents in October. Filipe also mentioned that the government had addressed SINPROF's concerns, including a budget increase for public schools, particularly primary schools, to ensure autonomy in resolving current issues.
The current state of affairs indicates that the government's efforts to address SINPROF's demands have been partially successful. According to official data, 50,549 out of 53,755 education agents have been validated for career advancement. The Ministry of Finance has assured that financial resources are available for this process, with payments to be made in two phases. The first update will occur in October 2026 for employees admitted between 2017 and 2018.
The second phase of payments is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, covering professionals from 2019 and 2020. However, 3,206 candidates were excluded due to eligibility issues. In response, the government has committed to reviewing their cases and announced a new internal competition for the second quarter of 2027 to integrate eligible professionals. This move aims to address the concerns of those who were left out of the initial process.
Despite these developments, SINPROF remains committed to its demands, and the strike is expected to continue. The union has planned three additional phases of strikes throughout the academic year if an agreement is not reached. The ongoing dispute has raised concerns about the impact on the education sector and the future of Angolan students.
The government's efforts to fulfill its commitments to SINPROF have been substantial, with claims that around 80% of agreements made in January have been met. However, the remaining issues are significant, and a resolution is yet to be achieved. The parties involved will need to work closely to find a mutually beneficial solution that addresses the concerns of both the government and the teachers.
As negotiations resume, stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about the potential for a resolution. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for the education sector in Angola, affecting not only the teachers but also the students and the broader community. The government's commitment to finding a solution and the union's determination to press for its demands will be crucial in determining the future of education in the country.
Key points
- The Angolan government and SINPROF are resuming negotiations to address the ongoing strike and its impact on the education sector.
- The government has fulfilled around 80% of its commitments to SINPROF, but significant issues remain unresolved.
- A resolution to the dispute is crucial to prevent further disruptions to the academic year and ensure the stability of the education sector.
