The new school year has started with a stark contrast in Kintinian, a prefecture in Guinea. While the administrative start on September 21 suggested a well-prepared beginning, the reality on the ground presents a two-speed scenario. Observations in Boukaria and Kintinian-centre reveal that the massive mobilization of students and teachers is hindered by glaring shortcomings from local authorities and supervisory structures.
In most parts of the locality, civic duty and rights have taken precedence. From Boukaria to the town centre of Kintinian, the situation was under control. Teachers were present, and students filled classrooms from the early hours. This enthusiasm was particularly evident at the Lycée-Collège in Kintinian's town centre, where the atmosphere was electric. The headmaster expressed satisfaction with the effective resumption of classes.
However, the picture darkens significantly when moving away from the town centre. In Bouré Setiguia and Bouré Balato, the start was marred by unacceptable shortcomings. Although some supervisory staff attempted to salvage the situation by attending school, the near-total absence of students exposed a severe lack of awareness and follow-up from community leaders.
The situation at the public primary school in Bouré Balato is particularly alarming. The school was characterized by empty classrooms, absent teachers, and a newly appointed director struggling to cope with the dire situation. The director, who had just taken up his post, lamented the state of the school, citing an unusable courtyard, broken furniture, and other anomalies.
This situation highlights the total abdication of responsibility by the district presidents and the APEAE bureaus in Balato and Setiguia. By abandoning schools without any prior cleaning, furniture preparation, or parental mobilization, these essential actors have failed in their basic mission.
While the 2026-2027 school year has begun successfully in Kintinian's town centre, it is severely tarnished by the inertia observed on the outskirts. The neglect of infrastructure by district presidents and the passivity of the APEAE bureaus in Setiguia and Balato constitute a serious issue.
To ensure Kintinian's new prefecture shines through its education system, prefectural authorities must sanction this laxity and compel local officials to fully assume their responsibilities towards the youth.
Key points
- The school year has started with a mix of high attendance and local failures in Kintinian, Guinea.
- Local authorities and supervisory structures have failed in some areas, leading to a two-speed scenario.
- Prefectural authorities are urged to take action against lax local officials to ensure a successful school year.
