The Guinean government and union representatives have resumed talks aimed at addressing the concerns of contractual teachers. The discussions, which started on October 10, are focused on regularizing the status of teachers who were not retained in 2024. According to union representatives, the negotiations are moving in a positive direction, with the government showing willingness to engage the teachers. The Intersyndicale de l'éducation, a coalition of education unions, has been pushing for the government to honor its commitments under a tripartite agreement signed on January 3, 2026.
The agreement, among other things, provides for the engagement of 4,500 contractual teachers who were not retained in 2024. The union had expressed concerns that the government's failure to implement the agreement could lead to unrest among teachers. However, with the resumption of talks, union representatives are optimistic that a solution is in sight. They have appealed to teachers to remain calm and serene, assuring them that the discussions are constructive and aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problem.
A meeting was held on October 10 between the Collectif des enseignants contractuels non retenus de Guinée, a group representing the interests of contractual teachers, and government officials. The meeting, which was mediated by Alya Camara, president of the Conseil national du dialogue social, aimed to find a resolution to the impasse. According to the Collectif, the government has shown a willingness to regularize the status of contractual teachers, in line with the vision of the President of the Republic, who has made youth employment a national priority.
The Collectif des enseignants contractuels non retenus de Guinée has welcomed the government's move, describing it as a significant breakthrough. In a statement, the Collectif's bureau national expressed relief and gratitude to the government for its efforts to address the concerns of contractual teachers. The statement also urged teachers to remain calm and confident, assuring them that the dialogue is ongoing and that a solution is near.
As part of the agreement, the government has agreed to fast-track the engagement of contractual teachers who scored an average mark in the 2024 recruitment exercise. This move is expected to address the shortage of teachers in the education sector, particularly in the context of the new school year, which began in September. The government has also announced plans to launch a new recruitment exercise for 6,000 teachers, with the exams scheduled to start on October 17.
The porte-parole du CECCNRG, Diaka Sow, has confirmed that discussions are ongoing between the government and union representatives. He has urged contractual teachers who were not affected by the January 3 agreement to apply for the new recruitment exercise. According to Sow, the government is committed to finding a solution to the problem, and teachers should remain optimistic about the outcome.
The developments are a welcome relief to teachers and education stakeholders, who had expressed concerns about the impact of the impasse on the education sector. With the government's commitment to regularizing the status of contractual teachers, there is hope that the sector will stabilize, and teachers will be able to focus on their work without distraction. The outcome of the talks will be closely watched by education stakeholders and the general public.
Key points
- The Guinean government and union representatives have made progress in talks aimed at regularizing the status of contractual teachers.
- The government has agreed to fast-track the engagement of contractual teachers who scored an average mark in the 2024 recruitment exercise.
- A new recruitment exercise for 6,000 teachers is set to start on October 17, with exams aimed at addressing the shortage of teachers in the education sector.
