Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presided over the formal signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Senegalese government and the G7 teachers’ unions on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dakar, the ceremony marked a significant turning point in resolving a months-long school crisis that had severely disrupted the national academic calendar. The agreement was signed by a broad coalition of government officials, including the Ministers of National Education, Vocational Training, and the Civil Service, alongside leaders of the G7 unions and the President of the High Council for Social Dialogue.
The final agreement follows an intense period of negotiation, including a marathon 20-hour session held on April 13 and 14, where parties reached a preliminary consensus on the majority of key demands. During the ceremony, Civil Service Minister Olivier Boucal praised the constructive role played by social partners, civil society, and parents’ associations in reaching this milestone. G7 union leaders emphasized that lasting stability in the education system now depends on the full and transparent implementation of the terms agreed upon in the document.
Education Minister Moustapha Guirassy expressed optimism following the signing, stating that the school system is now looking toward a more stable future with a rigorous resumption of classes nationwide. Prime Minister Sonko closed the proceedings by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the education sector, promising that the government would provide all necessary resources within its means to honor the deal. However, despite the formal signing, several sensitive matters remain for future discussion, including pension arrangements, tax exemptions on salary arrears, and the expansion of specific administrative decrees regarding education decision-makers.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA