COREC launches national petition for special teacher status in Cameroon

• The COREC has launched a national petition calling for special teacher status in Cameroon.
• Tensions between teachers and the government have been escalating, with repeated strikes and poor salaries taking their toll on the education sector.
• The proposed special teacher status law has been pending since 2019, with a new draft submitted to the MINFOPRA in April 2025 and ongoing government engagement.

Ce n’est un secret pour personne : les enseignants sont victimes de promesses non tenues

The Collective of Organizations of Teachers in Cameroon, COREC, has launched a national petition calling for the immediate signature and implementation of special teacher status. The move comes as tensions between teachers and the government continue to escalate, with repeated strikes and poor salaries taking their toll on the education sector. According to the COREC, promises made by the government and President have not been kept, leading to a sense of betrayal among teachers.

The petition is backed by 18 syndicates, including the SNAES and SYDTEPNYS, which are rallying behind COREC Secretary General Roland ASSOAH ETOGA. The COREC has also highlighted the issue of teacher exodus, with many educators seeking to leave the country due to poor working conditions.

The national petition is seen as a last resort by the COREC, which has been pushing for the implementation of special teacher status since 2019. Despite two previous submissions to the MINFOPRA in October 2023 and April 2025, the proposed special teacher status law remains under discussion, with a new draft submitted in April 2025 and government engagement on the matter.

The proposed special teacher status law is a contentious issue that has been pending for several years. The COREC's national petition is the latest development in this saga, which highlights the need for urgent action to address the education sector's woes. As lawyers advising clients on educational sector compliance will be aware, the government's failure to implement policies and laws can have significant implications for business operations and investment decisions.

The special teacher status law has been submitted twice to the MINFOPRA, but its final implementation is still pending, despite recent engagement. This lack of definitive action has led to a sense of frustration among teachers, who feel that their concerns are being ignored.

The COREC's petition is not just about securing better working conditions for teachers; it also highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the education sector.

The escalating tensions between teachers and the government in Cameroon have significant implications for the country's education sector. The COREC's national petition is a call to action that highlights the need for urgent reform. If left unaddressed, these issues could lead to further exodus of qualified educators, exacerbating the already dire situation in the country's schools.

The proposed special teacher status law has the potential to address some of the key concerns raised by teachers, including poor salaries and working conditions. However, its implementation is dependent on the government taking concrete steps to address these issues.

As lawyers advising clients on educational sector compliance will be aware, staying informed about developments in this area is crucial for businesses operating in Cameroon.

Lawyers advising clients on educational sector compliance should be aware of the escalating tensions between teachers and the government in Cameroon, which may impact business operations or investment decisions. They should monitor developments around the proposed special teacher status law and its potential implications for education policy.

Source: Original reporting via OTS