The situation is becoming increasingly tense in Guinea's education sector as contractual teachers are growing impatient with the government's lack of response to their demands. On October 8, their coordinator, Diaka Sow, warned that a strike could be imminent if their demands are not met by next week. The teachers are seeking regularization of their status, including direct engagement without a competitive exam, and the review of cases for those not retained or admitted.
The Intersyndicale de l'Éducation, a coalition of education unions, has been negotiating with the government for some time, but the teachers feel that their demands are not being taken seriously. They are seeking a resolution to their situation at three levels: direct engagement of biometric teachers without a competitive exam, review of cases for non-retained or non-admitted teachers, and a practical classroom test for contractual teachers in Conakry.
Diaka Sow addressed a large gathering of teachers at the SLECG headquarters in Donka, urging them to remain calm but prepared for a strike. He stated that the government needs to take concrete steps to address their demands, including downloading the list of contractual teachers and engaging them automatically without a competitive exam. The teachers are also seeking the signature of the particular status of education and payment of function allowances to education department heads.
The warning of a potential strike has caused concern among the leaders of the Intersyndicale de l'Éducation, who are trying to mediate the situation. The Secretary-General of the Syndicat National de l'Éducation (SNE), Michel Pépé Balamou, assured that the situation of contractual teachers is being regularized and that they will be integrated into the system. He stated that a commission is working on the final list of teachers who will be directly integrated into the FUGAS system.
According to Michel Pépé Balamou, teachers who obtained a grade of 10 or higher will be considered civil servants. He also stated that a commission has been sent to the Directorate of Public Service Competitions to recall the terms of the protocol for contractual teachers in Conakry. The teachers in Conakry will be required to take a practical classroom test.
The leaders of the Intersyndicale de l'Éducation are also working on the Particular Status of Education, which will cover the entire education sector, including pre-university, technical, and vocational education, as well as higher education and scientific research. Michel Pépé Balamou emphasized that the status will not be rushed and will need to be attractive to teachers.
The situation remains uncertain, with the teachers threatening to take action if their demands are not met. The government needs to take concrete steps to address their concerns and avoid a strike that could disrupt the education sector. The Particular Status of Education and the regularization of contractual teachers' status are key issues that need to be resolved.
Key points
- The contractual teachers in Guinea are seeking regularization of their status and have threatened a strike if their demands are not met.
- The Intersyndicale de l'Éducation is working on the Particular Status of Education, which will cover the entire education sector.
- The situation remains uncertain, with the teachers prepared to take action if their demands are not met by next week.
