The country is currently shaken by strikes by teachers, unhappy with government measures put in place to respond to their demands. Despite the few promises kept by the government, teachers believe that the measures taken are insufficient and do not meet their expectations.
These strikes disrupt the smooth running of the school year, with teachers choosing not to teach classes or going to schools without teaching. Teachers’ unions have high hopes for the holding of a “National Education Forum”, which would make it possible to set new directions for the country’s educational policy.
Teachers’ demands are multiple and go beyond the temporary measures taken by the government. They are demanding in particular the effective application of the “Special Status of the Teacher”, signed since 2000. Other demands relate to the rescheduling of the index, the payment of bonuses abolished for years, the contractualization of technical education teachers, automation of advancements, among others.
For many years, the education sector has faced recurring crises, with teachers feeling neglected by the government and whose demands remain unanswered. According to the unions, this is due to a lack of political will on the part of the authorities.
The “National Education Forum” is seen as an opportunity for teachers to make their voices heard and participate in the definition of a new educational policy for the country. They hope that this body bringing together all stakeholders in the sector will make it possible to analyze the problems in depth and propose more appropriate solutions. However, some unions emphasize the importance of taking into account both global and specific issues, in order to avoid inconsistencies in current reforms.
In conclusion, the teachers’ strikes in Cameroon demonstrate the continuing difficulties in the education sector. Teachers’ demands are multiple and reveal a demand for recognition and better working conditions. The “National Education Forum” is expected as an opportunity to remedy these problems and set a new education policy.