As Guinea prepares for the 2026-2027 school year to commence on October 5, the Intersyndicale de l'éducation, a coalition of education unions, has called on teachers to resume classes normally. On October 4, union leaders gathered at the headquarters of the Syndicat national de l'éducation (SNE) in Matoto, Conakry, and issued a statement urging teachers to return to work without delay. The Intersyndicale, comprising the FSPE, SLECG, SNE, and SNEFAG, emphasized that no strike has been planned.
Michel Pépé Balamou, Secretary-General of the SNE, addressed the press on behalf of the Intersyndicale. He stated that the unions are not advocating for a strike and have not issued any notice or warning of a potential strike. Balamou assured that dialogue remains open between the unions and the government, with a committee established to monitor the implementation of agreements outlined in a protocol signed on January 3, 2026.
The Intersyndicale's call for normal resumption comes as negotiations with the government are set to continue. The unions emphasized that the resumption of classes does not signify the end of discussions around the protocol's contents. According to Balamou, teachers are encouraged to continue their pedagogical activities while the Intersyndicale pursues further negotiations.
The issue of contract teachers who were not retained after evaluation remains a pressing concern. Balamou urged these teachers to have faith in the negotiations led by the Intersyndicale. He expressed confidence that solutions will be found soon, in line with the spirit and letter of the January 3, 2026 agreement.
The Intersyndicale is committed to pursuing discussions around this sensitive issue. The unions are requesting that the government respect the commitments outlined in the January 3, 2026 protocol and prioritize social dialogue as a mechanism for managing professional relationships.
Balamou emphasized that the Intersyndicale's approach is not a sign of weakness but rather a pragmatic assessment of the current situation, taking into account the material and moral interests of its members. The unions are seeking to find solutions that benefit all parties involved.
The situation highlights the complexities of Guinea's education sector, where negotiations between the government and unions are ongoing. As the 2026-2027 school year begins, the Intersyndicale's call for normal resumption aims to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth start to the academic year.
Key points
- The Intersyndicale de l'éducation has called on teachers in Guinea to resume classes normally ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.
- The unions have not planned a strike and are committed to continuing negotiations with the government.
- The Intersyndicale is seeking solutions for contract teachers who were not retained after evaluation.
