The results of the recruitment exam for 6,000 teachers in Guinea's public service were published on October 23, showing that 94.85% of contractual teachers were admitted nationwide. The exam, held on October 17, was a requirement for the recruitment of teachers, with 4,304 out of 4,535 contractual teachers who had previously been rejected in 2024 being admitted. This represents a success rate of 71.73% for the previously rejected teachers.
A total of 1,696 non-contractual teachers were also declared admitted to the exam, making up 28.27% of the 6,000 successful candidates. The high success rate was attributed to the efforts of the teachers and their representatives, who had been advocating for their recruitment. Diaka Sow, the spokesperson for the Collective of Contractual Teachers Not Retained in Guinea (CECCNRG), expressed satisfaction with the results, despite his own failure to pass the exam.
Diaka Sow, a key figure in the movement to recruit contractual teachers, was among the few who failed the exam. He expressed his joy at the success of his colleagues and attributed the outcome to the will of God. Sow emphasized that the success of his colleagues was a victory for the movement, which had been advocating for the recruitment of contractual teachers. He also stated that he would not seek to be integrated into the public service through other means, but rather remain true to his principles.
In addition to Diaka Sow, at least three other representatives of the CECCNRG, including regional representatives, also failed the exam. The regions of Boké and Kankan reported seven and twenty failed candidates, respectively. Nationwide, nearly 200 contractual teachers were rejected from the 4,535 who had taken the exam. The reasons for their failure were not disclosed, but it is understood that the exam was highly competitive.
The Ministry of Modernization of Administration and Public Service had announced that the recruitment of 6,000 teachers was a priority, and the successful candidates will now undergo biometric registration and authentication of their diplomas before being formally integrated into the public service. The process is expected to be completed soon, and the new teachers will begin their duties.
The failure of some contractual teachers to pass the exam has raised concerns about the future of education in Guinea. The intersyndicale de l'éducation, a coalition of education unions, had previously expressed concerns about the recruitment process and the working conditions of teachers. On October 24, the unions reiterated their demands, including the signing of a special status for teachers, salary increases, and respect for a previously agreed-upon protocol.
Despite the concerns, the government appears to have made progress in addressing the shortage of teachers in Guinea. The recruitment of 6,000 new teachers is expected to improve the quality of education in the country. However, the failed candidates, including Diaka Sow, will have to explore other opportunities. The situation highlights the challenges facing the education sector in Guinea and the need for continued dialogue between the government and education stakeholders.
Key points
- At least three leaders of contractual teachers in Guinea, including Diaka Sow, have failed the recruitment exam for 6,000 teaching positions in the country's public service.
