With the new school year just around the corner, concerns are growing in Labé, Guinea, over the government's plans for contractual teachers. Mamoudou Keita, secretary general of the Coordination régionale des enseignants contractuels de Labé, expressed his worries on September 21 about the government's commitment to hiring these teachers. According to Keita, the government had signed a protocol agreement on January 3, 2026, outlining the steps to integrate contractual teachers into the public service.
The protocol agreement led to the establishment of several commissions to oversee its implementation. One of these commissions was tasked with verifying the eligibility of contractual teachers who had undergone biometric registration, completed a practice class, and achieved an average score of at least 10 out of 20. Keita stated that this commission has completed its work, leaving it up to the Ministry of Public Service to fulfill its obligations. However, this has yet to be done, causing frustration among the contractual teachers.
A total of 4,573 contractual teachers are affected by the delay in their integration into the public service. Keita emphasized that these teachers have gained valuable experience over several years and are now expecting the government to honor its commitments. He urged the authorities to take responsibility for these teachers and respect the agreement.
Keita revealed that his organization is currently in talks to discuss the next steps in implementing the protocol agreement. He hinted at potential resistance from the Ministry of Public Service but assured that they are preparing to counter any moves that might undermine the agreement. The situation remains uncertain, with the teachers and their representatives eagerly awaiting a resolution.
In the meantime, Keita has appealed to the contractual teachers to remain united and patient. He also called on the government to honor its commitments and avoid any further social unrest. The situation is being closely watched, as the new school year is about to begin, and any delays or disruptions could have significant consequences.
The issue highlights the challenges faced by contractual teachers in Guinea, who often work without job security or benefits. The agreement signed in January was seen as a step towards resolving these issues, but its implementation has been slow. Keita's concerns reflect the anxiety felt by many contractual teachers who are eager to secure their positions in the public service.
As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on the government's next move. Will it honor its commitments and integrate the contractual teachers into the public service, or will the process be delayed further? The answer will have significant implications for the teachers, their families, and the education sector as a whole in Guinea.
Key points
- The Guinean government signed a protocol agreement on January 3, 2026, to integrate contractual teachers into the public service.
- A total of 4,573 contractual teachers are affected by the delay in their integration into the public service.
- The implementation of the agreement has been slow, causing frustration among the contractual teachers and their representatives.
