Last October 2, Minister of Labour Gregoire Owona met with the striking teachers to find a solution for the resumption of classes. During the meeting, the government decided to expedite the payment of salary and bonus arrears as well as set up the national education council. 

For the striking teachers, the actions are not enough for them to resume classes. 

"The strike continues," says Olen Jeudong, one of the spokesmen for On a Trop Supporté (OTS), the collective behind that strike. "We're expecting figures… deadlines,” the spokesperson adds.  

The collective’s demands remain the same. They are namely the payment of debts owed to teachers and a special status for teachers to end the recurring issue of unpaid salary. "The special status will materialize the autonomous [management] of career achievement deeds,” explains Olen Jeudong.

The government has yet to publicly address the special status demand. Strikers are not ready to give up and a growing number of teachers are joining them.

Michel Ange Nga