The strike by teachers to protest against the postponement of the presidential election is deemed illegal by the Ministry of Education. In a statement, the Ministry said that « those who stop work in violation of the regulations may immediately be subject to disciplinary sanctions ».

The Ministry of Education has warned teachers on strike to demand that the electoral timetable be respected. In a press release, the department headed by Cheikh Oumar Anne notes that « teachers’ unions, claiming to be part of a movement known as the Cooperation Framework Between Education Unions, has called for walkouts for non-academic reasons ». Finding that this attitude is not in accordance with the law, the Ministry states in its document that the right to strike is recognised for workers by the Constitution, but « it is exercised within the framework of the laws that govern it ». The press release states, « those who stop work in violation of the regulatory provisions may immediately be subject to disciplinary sanctions ». And adds that « the same applies if the cessation of work is based on political rather than professional grounds ». The document stresses that « the government will take all responsible and rigorous measures to ensure compliance with the regulations and the continuity of teaching and learning ».

Outcry Against Amnesty : Macky Tears his Plan

The Ministry of Education, which is aware that « these unfortunate disruptions are affecting the school calendar, thereby jeopardising pupils’ right to education », reaffirms « its determination and commitment to provide quality education to all pupils and to ensure their well-being and safety in schools and educational establishments ».

The department also « salutes the sense of responsibility and republican stance of the majority of teachers, who continue to work for the emergence of an efficient and resilient education system ».

A Way Out of the Crisis: The Recommendations of the ECOWAS Parliamentary Mission

To protest against the postponement of the presidential election, the Senegalese Autonomous Middle and Secondary School Teachers’ Union (Saemss) and the Unified framework of secondary school unions (Cusems) staged walkouts on Tuesday and Wednesday. The trade unionists are demanding the withdrawal of the proposed law postponing the presidential election. The two unions, which are part of the « Aar sunu élection » coalition, consider that this act is « illegal and unconstitutional », and « risks tipping Senegal into an unprecedented socio-political crisis with pernicious consequences for our country ». For them, it « requires the unfailing commitment and determination of all the nation’s forces vives to fight for respect for the principles of the rule of law ».

By Dieynaba KANE / dkane@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH