The Guinean teachers' union, led by Michel Pépé Balamou, held an assembly on October 8, 2026, at the Donka headquarters of the Syndicat Libre des Enseignants et Chercheurs de Guinée (SLECG). The meeting aimed to update teachers on the progress of several dossiers, including the integration of contractual teachers and the release of blocked salaries.
During the assembly, Michel Pépé Balamou addressed the concerns of the teachers, assuring them that their situation is being handled. He emphasized that the union is committed to finding a solution and is not afraid to take responsibility. Balamou stated that the principle of not requiring a competitive exam for 4,500 non-retained teachers with an average grade of 10 or higher has been agreed upon and is non-negotiable.
Balamou further clarified that the union will not disclose all details of their strategy to avoid jeopardizing the outcome. However, he assured teachers that they will be kept informed through their coordinators. The union leader emphasized that teachers with an average grade of 10 or higher should consider themselves state officials. This statement aims to provide reassurance to contractual teachers about their future.
The situation of contractual teachers in the special zone of Conakry was also addressed. Balamou announced that these teachers will be invited to participate in a practical class competition, which will give them priority during registration. The goal is to expedite the process and avoid delays. A list of contractual teachers from Conakry will be submitted to the commission for further processing.
The union also discussed the Statut Particulier, a special status that concerns all teachers, including future and current officials. Balamou stressed that the union is fighting for a well-crafted status that will benefit teachers. He denied rumors that the higher education sector already has a special status, calling them false and misleading.
Additionally, the union leader addressed the issue of functional primes for school administrators, provisors, and other officials with decrees and orders. He stated that the list will be transmitted, and the attribution of these primes will not be delayed pending the special status. The union also requested the reclassification of certain teachers engaged in 2017, who were classified in hierarchy A1 despite having a master's or doctoral degree.
Finally, Balamou mentioned that 72 dossiers will be unblocked by the end of the month, and the union will continue to follow up on remaining cases. The regularization of the administrative situation of 10,000 communal contractual teachers was also discussed, including their salary arrears and prime transposition based on their area of assignment. The union aims to find a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by contractual teachers in Guinea.
Key points
- The Guinean teachers' union has reassured contractual teachers that their situation is being regularized.
- 4,500 non-retained teachers with an average grade of 10 or higher will be considered as state officials.
- The union will continue to follow up on the cases of contractual teachers, including the regularization of their administrative situation and the release of blocked salaries.
