Guinean Minister of Modernization of Administration and Public Function, Faya François Bourouno, has sought to reassure the public that there is no immediate threat to the opening of schools. His comments come in response to rumors of a potential strike by teachers over unmet demands. Bourouno stated that no formal notice of a strike has been submitted, which he believes indicates that an immediate disruption to the academic calendar is unlikely.
The intersyndicale de l'éducation, a coalition of education unions including SLECG, SNE, and FSPE, had threatened to disrupt the start of the school year if their demands were not met. The unions had expressed frustration over the government's handling of a protocol agreement signed in January 2026. They reacted particularly to the announcement of new civil servant recruitments, including teachers, claiming some of their demands had not been addressed.
During a press conference at his department's headquarters on September 29, 2026, Bourouno called for calm and assured that the government is engaged in ongoing discussions with union representatives. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation between the government and union leaders. Bourouno noted that while there may be misunderstandings regarding the protocol agreement, these are typical in labor relations.
According to Bourouno, negotiations between the government and union leaders are ongoing and nearing a resolution. He cited recent discussions involving the Secretary General and statements from union leaders suggesting a "white smoke" – an indication of an imminent agreement. Bourouno's comments aim to alleviate public concerns about potential school disruptions.
Bourouno stressed the importance of avoiding another period of school disruptions, recalling the difficulties faced by Guinea's education system in recent years. He noted that the country had experienced over three years of continuous disruption between 2015 and 2020, which had a significant impact on the country's human capital. The minister urged all parties to work towards creating a conducive environment for the new school year.
The minister also addressed the recruitment of community-based contract teachers, a process that began under the current administration. Bourouno explained that this issue dates back to 2018 and that current authorities have taken steps to address it. He mentioned that 10,000 teacher positions were identified as needed in 2024, and a competitive process was used to select candidates.
Bourouno clarified the difference between a competitive exam and a recruitment process, addressing concerns raised about the teacher recruitment process. He emphasized that the competitive process allowed for the selection of the best candidates based on a limited number of available positions. The minister also confirmed that the recruitment process is open to community-based contract teachers, including those from Conakry's special zone.
Key points
- The Guinean government and teacher unions are in ongoing discussions to address union demands and avoid school disruptions.
- Minister Bourouno assures that no formal strike notice has been filed, reducing the likelihood of immediate school closures.
- The government has taken steps to address longstanding issues, including the recruitment of 10,000 new teachers.
