Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CONAKRY1256
2007-11-21 11:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

EDUCATION MINISTER PLANS TO TEST CONTRACT TEACHERS

Tags:  PREL PGOV SOCI GV 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2460
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #1256/01 3251140
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211140Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1893
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 001256 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI GV
SUBJECT: EDUCATION MINISTER PLANS TO TEST CONTRACT TEACHERS

REF: CONAKRY 1215

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 001256

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI GV
SUBJECT: EDUCATION MINISTER PLANS TO TEST CONTRACT TEACHERS

REF: CONAKRY 1215


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. During a November 16 poloff courtesy call, the
Minister of Education was enthusiastic about his job and optimistic
about his program to improve education in Guinea. In response to
teacher demands to address contractor problems, the Minister said he
plans to hold a national exam to test all teachers with permanent
employment to be offered only to those who pass. He also commented
on efforts to reduce corruption during the September national
university exam process, which resulted in the arrest of a number of
teachers and students accused of bribing and cheating. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On November 16, poloff met with Guinean Minister of
Education, Elhadj Ousmane Souare. One of two union members
represented in Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate's cabinet, Souare was
relaxed, informal and eager to dispense with standard protocol. He
expressed appreciation for his close working relationship with the
Embassy in the past and said he is looking forward to continued
collaboration.

--------------
BIO NOTES
--------------


3. (U) Born in 1946, Minister Souare has a degree in physics from
the University of Kankan. He completed two post-graduate study
programs in France: one on solar energy at the National Center for
Scientific Research and one on scientific research management.
Minister Souare also spent two years doing specialized training in
scientific research policy in Brussels, Geneva and Paris. The
minister has extensive experience as a consultant for a number of
national and international organizations including UNESCO, the
National Committee for the Fight Against AIDS, and the World Bank.
His previous government positions include National Coordinator on
Women's Civil Rights and Deputy National Director for Scientific and
Technical Research.


4. (U) As a founding member of the Guinean Teacher's Union (SLEG),
Minister Souare actively participated in the union negotiations with
the government during the January/February strike. He also has
extensive experience in conflict resolution and negotiation and has
used this experience to resolve issues within the unions.

--------------
BACKGROUND
--------------


5. (SBU) Severely under-resourced, the Ministry of Education
receives less than 5% of Guinea's operating budget (the amount
available after debt service payments). Many schools are in
deplorable conditions with classrooms designed for 30 students
housing more than 150. Inadequate numbers of qualified teachers
coupled with corruption pose additional challenges. A 2006 German
study found that about 30% of contractual teachers cannot read,
write or do math beyond the 4th grade level.

--------------
HELP IS WELCOME - AND NOT JUST MONEY
--------------


6. (SBU) Minister Souare emphasized that U.S. assistance in the
education sector is critical to democracy. He said that Guinea's
high illiteracy rates (greater than 70%) create a substantial
barrier to effective civic education. Souare clarified that while
financial assistance is welcome, U.S. assistance in other areas can
be just as helpful. Specifically, he said the U.S. plays an
important role in democracy advocacy, informal education campaigns,
and by providing advice and support to both the government and the
private sector. Poloff told the Minister that the Embassy is
exploring a number of different ideas to support civic education,
including radio bulletins and public outreach to schools and
universities.

--------------
PUNISHING CORRUPTION
--------------


7. (SBU) Although the national university exam process has been
fraught with corruption in the past, the September 2007 exam results
were widely seen as the most transparent in recent memory. Poloff
congratulated the minister for his leadership role in administering
the exams. Souare, visibly proud, said that corruption within the
exam processes will no longer be tolerated. He added that an
unspecified number of students and teachers who had been caught
cheating or accepting bribes, were currently in jail awaiting trial.
Minister Souare emphasized that Guinea's political environment is
very different than it was in the past - 'people will no longer
accept poor management, abuse or betrayal,' he said. 'We have to
aim to satisfy base needs' he added, 'and education is one of those
needs.'


CONAKRY 00001256 002 OF 002


--------------
AND WEEDING OUT UNQUALIFIED TEACHERS
--------------


8. (SBU) Regarding ongoing labor problems with teachers (reftel),
Souare said that many of the problems are more than 20 years old. A
union member himself, he said he understands the underlying issues
and had just met with the unions the previous day. The biggest
problem is large numbers of teachers employed as contractors, which
represent more than half of the total education workforce. These
contract workers lack benefits and job security and the employment
system invites corruption. Souare said he plans to hold a national
exam in December or January to which all contract teachers will be
invited. Those teachers who pass the exam will be offered permanent
employment no later than March, he said. Souare added that the exam
should help weed out unqualified teachers. According to Souare,
union members agreed with the proposed solution.

--------------
INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES
--------------


9. (SBU) When asked about efforts to address infrastructure
inadequacies, Souare said that he is trying to identify appropriate
facilities within the private sector in order to rent them and
convert them into schools. However, he added that assistance from
donors may be needed to implement this plan.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


10. (SBU) Despite significant challenges facing the education
sector, Minister Souare is energetic and enthusiastic with clear
ideas of what needs to be done and how he wants to do it. His
success in improving the national university exam process, which was
due in part to USG assistance, testifies to his commitment and
follow-through. Based on initial impressions, Minister Souare seems
to be a willing, pragmatic partner who is looking for assistance but
also working to identify what he can do on his own. The Embassy has
been working closely with the Ministry on a number of programs
including developing a civic education program to develop a
curriculum for the formal school system as well as an informal mass
education campaign via radio broadcasts and other mechanisms.


11. (SBU) As to Souare's plan to hold a national test for contract
teachers, it is critical that the exam be well written and well
administered because if the Ministry offers permanent employment to
unqualified contractors, it risks further crippling the education
system for decades. At the same time, ministry refusal to employ
long-time contractors based on exam results is likely to be
unpopular. END COMMENT.

CARTER