Teachers’ Union to decide on strike action after Gov’t talks on April 18

Teachers’ union, unified under the Collection of Education Organisations in Cameroon (COREC), will convene in Yaounde on Friday, April 18, 2025 to decide whether teachers will proceed with a planned strike on April 21. 

COREC leaders say their decision hinges on whether the government has adequately addressed their key demands. Following an initial consultation on Thursday, March 27, the government has taken steps this week to engage with the unions. 

On Monday, April 14, 2025 union representatives met with Civil Service and Administrative Reform Minister Joseph Le to discuss the long-sought special status for teachers. 

Another meeting was scheduled for today April 15 with Labor and Social Security Minister Gregoire Owona to finalize the collective agreement for private education, with the theoretical expectation of its signing this week. 

Additionally, the same union representatives are slated to meet with Higher Education Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo to discuss the organisation of the National Education Forum (FNE), also expected to advance this week. 

However, Samory Toure Tenkeng, spokesperson for the Cameroon Teachers’ Union for Africa (SECA), remains skeptical. "This is just a game of ping-pong the government is playing a few days before April 21," he said. 

Even before the upcoming COREC meeting, he expressed certainty that the strike call would stand. "They’re just trying to distract teachers," he added. This viewpoint is widely shared among union leaders. 

Speaking on State broadcaster CRTV, another union leader acknowledged that significant work remains.

While the government has initiated discussions on the signing and implementation of a special status, union members unanimously agree that no tangible actions have been taken yet. 

"The purpose of a special status is to lead to a salary increase for teachers. A special status without financial substance is useless," warned Tenkeng. 

The special status remains the primary demand for teachers. Another major concern is the holding of the FNE, a national consultation on education spearheaded by the Higher Education Ministry. 

This initiative remains ill-defined, with no date set. Unions fear that the presidential election scheduled for later this year could delay the event until next year a scenario that sources suggest could further galvanise teachers to strike. 

BY MICHAEL ANGE NGA

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Picture illustrating teachers during class preparatory meeting