On October 8, 2026, the Guinean Education Intersyndicale, comprising the FSPE, SLECG, and SNE unions, held an extraordinary general assembly at the SLECG headquarters in Dixinn. The unions discussed the current state of negotiations with the government and addressed a stern warning to the authorities. The assembly was attended by a large crowd of teachers, including tenured and contract workers from Conakry and the surrounding areas.
Michel Pépé Balamou, Secretary-General of the SNE, emphasized the unions' desire to promote a peaceful school year. He denounced recent administrative actions that contradict the initial agreement protocol. According to Balamou, the intersyndicale noticed that these actions contradict the spirit and letter of point 7 of the protocol, which prioritizes the recruitment of contract teachers who have obtained the required average.
The intersyndicale expressed hope for a resolution through mediation initiated by the Conseil National du Dialogue Social. Balamou stated that the unions are giving the government one last chance to demonstrate concrete commitment, adding that tomorrow should be an operational day with tangible results. The unions are seeking a resolution before the end of the week.
Dame Kadiatou Bah, Secretary-General of the SLECG, stressed the importance of respecting past agreements and the symbolic value of the education sector's special status. She described the protocol as non-negotiable and recalled that the Prime Minister had agreed to its implementation. Bah emphasized the historical significance of the education sector's special status, which was obtained after 12 students died during the baccalauréat.
Hamidou Touré, the FSPE's communication representative, called on teachers to remain vigilant due to the shortage of educators on the ground. He urged the base to stay mobilized and ready to respond to the intersyndicale's call. Touré emphasized that constructing a strong nation requires prioritizing education and teachers, adding that the strike is only suspended and may resume if their demands are not met.
The intersyndicale will meet with the Ministry of Public Function on Friday to examine lists of contract teachers and salary regularizations. This meeting is crucial for the future of the 2026-2027 school year. The unions are seeking concrete actions from the government to address their concerns.
The Guinean Education Intersyndicale's decision to suspend its strike and give the government one last chance has brought temporary relief to the education sector. However, the situation remains uncertain, and the unions have warned of a possible resumption of the strike if their demands are not met.
Key points
- The Guinean Education Intersyndicale suspended its strike to give the government one last chance to address concerns.
- The intersyndicale seeks concrete actions from the government to address teacher shortages and salary regularizations.
- The unions will meet with the Ministry of Public Function on Friday to examine lists of contract teachers and salary regularizations.
