The governor of the Menaka region in northern Mali has ordered the suspension of salaries for 151 teachers due to their prolonged and unjustified absence from work.
This decision comes as the region faces a deepening education crisis, with 53% of schools non-functional due to insecurity and violence.
The salary suspension, effective from April 1st, 2025, follows a warning issued to the teachers in February, urging them to return to their posts by March 3rd. The administration maintains that the measure is necessary to ensure the continuity of public education services.
However, teachers’ unions argue that the ongoing insecurity caused by armed groups makes it impossible for them to return to work. These groups often oppose Western-style education and have targeted schools and teachers with attacks and threats.
The situation in Menaka reflects a broader educational crisis affecting the Sahel region. Insecurity, violence, and a lack of resources have led to widespread school closures, depriving hundreds of thousands of children of access to education.
In Menaka, 53% of schools are currently closed, impacting 45,000 students and 900 teachers. Nationally, 1,722 out of 9,036 schools are non-functional, affecting over 500,000 children and 10,000 teachers.
Teachers cite insecurity, direct threats to their safety, lack of banking services, and dilapidated infrastructure as reasons for their absence. Unions are demanding improved security and logistical support before teachers can safely return to classrooms.
The salary suspension has raised concerns that it could exacerbate the education crisis and lead to further teacher shortages in the region. While authorities emphasize the need to resume educational services, they also face the challenge of addressing the security and logistical issues that hinder teachers’ ability to work.
This crisis unfolds amidst a challenging budgetary context, with the Ministry of National Education facing budget cuts. The situation in Mali highlights the broader challenges faced by countries in the Sahel region, where insecurity and violence continue to disrupt access to education for countless children.
MD/te/Sf/fss/abj.APA