VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLC #0232/01 1420708
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220708Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1162
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1008

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000232 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/C LISA KORTE 
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB SOCI PGOV GB
 
SUBJECT:  Gabon:  Discontent May Close Schools Early 
 
Ref:  08 Libreville 229 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (U) Since tense negotiations ended a primary and secondary 
teachers' strike in December 2008, the problems facing Gabon's 
education sector have multiplied and spread to higher education. 
University professors are now on strike, demanding better pay and 
working conditions, and their colleagues at the primary and 
secondary level threaten to join them if a recently promised salary 
supplement is not deposited into their bank accounts by May 25.  A 
strike would render thousands of high school students ineligible to 
take their final exams, forcing them to repeat the school year, and 
potentially resulting in demonstrations and unrest.  Add to this 
discord two unrelated conflicts over nationalized testing, and the 
current school year risks coming to a rocky and premature end.  End 
Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Strike Threatened If Bonus Not Paid by May 25 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) At the beginning of the current school year, members of the 
National Primary and Secondary Teachers Union (SENA in its French 
acronym) launched a strike for better pay and working conditions. 
After difficult negotiations, a resolution was reached that allowed 
schools to reopen just one day shy of the deadline to avoid a 
canceled school year (Ref. A). A new bonus for teachers was the crux 
of the agreement reached between SENA and the Education Ministry. 
According to Embassy contacts in the labor movement, many teachers 
have doubts that the government authorities will keep their promise 
regarding the bonus.  SENA has therefore threatened to go back on 
strike if they do not receive the bonus by May 25 as promised. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The consequences of even a brief resumption of the strike 
would be devastating for graduating high school students who are 
preparing to sit their critical "baccalaureate" exams.  Under the 
UN-administered international standards applicable in Gabon, 
students will not have enough class time to prepare for and sit the 
exams if any additional days are lost this academic year.  Students 
joined their teachers in protest during the latest strike, and in 
previous years student protests over similar issues turned violent. 
 
-------------------------- 
Other High School Students 
Have Additional Problems 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) Trouble is also brewing among an additional group of 3,000 
private high school students who failed last year's baccalaureate 
exam.  In the past, such students have been permitted to sit the 
exam a second time the following year.  This year, only public 
school students are being allowed to repeat the exam.  There is a 
booming demand for private education in Gabon because of the 
deterioration in the quality of public schools, the frequency of 
strikes, and limited space. 
 
¶5.  (U) The barred private school students have held small 
demonstrations against the Ministry of Education's decision, and 
threaten further protests if the decision is not revoked.  In 
another testing-related conflict, the Ministry has been criticized 
for proposing age 16 as the limit for admission to the nationalized 
Junior High School entrance exam.  Some students and parents have 
reacted angrily to the proposed age limit. 
 
------------------------------------ 
University Professors Also on Strike 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶6. (U) University professors organized in the National Union of 
Teacher-Researchers (SNEC in its French acronym) recently joined the 
fray by launching their own strike for better pay and working 
conditions.  University professors are also seeking enhanced housing 
benefits.  According to SNEC, the strike involves 650 professors 
employed in Gabon's three universities and four professional 
schools.  Also according to a source in SNEC, university classes 
have been canceled for the week starting May 18 and will not resume 
until the Ministry of Education agrees to sit down for 
negotiations. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) COMMENT:  The problems in Gabon's education system have 
been building for years, and there can be no rapid or easy cure. 
This is no comfort for students who face a canceled school year, or 
are barred from taking a required nationalized test.  Gabonese 
students are traditionally volatile, and perceived missteps by the 
government in handling the education sector's many problems may lead 
to further protests.  End Comment. 
 
HOLT