The secretary general regional of Côte d'Ivoire's National Secondary School Teachers' Union (SNAPS-CI), Ahonié N'zah Eric, has raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the teachers' room at Lycée moderne Toussagnon Benoit de Sassandra. He made the remarks during a meeting with local education stakeholders and Gboklè regional council president, Kébé Mahamadou, on October 3, 2026. Ahonié stated that the aging infrastructure poses risks to teachers.
According to Ahonié, the teachers' room has a porous roof despite several interventions, and termite-infested foundations are causing further damage. He noted that the building, officially constructed in 1957, is in a state of disrepair. The union representative expressed worry about the school's overall condition, calling for a new, adequately-sized teachers' room with suitable amenities.
The situation of the building housing educators' offices has also been flagged as a concern. Ahonié requested that the regional council president work towards recovering the school's on-site staff accommodations, which are no longer under the establishment's responsibility. He stated that several accommodations are currently being rented by newly assigned teachers and trainees.
Six trainees from Abidjan's École normale supérieure (ENS), assigned to the high school, are currently renting accommodations to complete their training. Ahonié urged the regional council president to assist in retrieving this property, which could be allocated to newly assigned teachers and trainees.
In response to teachers' concerns, President Kébé Mahamadou assured that he would contribute to improving their working and living conditions within available financial resources and planned projects. The president acknowledged the pressing need for infrastructure upgrades and welfare improvements for educators.
Local education stakeholders and union representatives have welcomed the president's commitment to addressing their concerns. Teachers at Lycée Toussagnon Benoit de Sassandra have expressed relief that their plight has been acknowledged by regional authorities. Further discussions are expected to determine specific actions and timelines for implementing improvements.
The SNAPS-CI union's initiative aims to draw attention to the pressing need for infrastructure upgrades and welfare improvements for educators in Côte d'Ivoire's schools. The situation at Lycée Toussagnon Benoit de Sassandra serves as a case in point, highlighting the challenges faced by teachers and students in schools with aging infrastructure.
Key points
- The union has called for a new teachers' room with suitable amenities.
- The current teachers' room poses risks to educators due to its deteriorating state.
- The school's on-site staff accommodations are no longer under the establishment's responsibility.
