The Unions of Teachers and Teacher Researchers (SECES) have alerted state officials about the danger of higher education in Madagascar in a long statement published on its Facebook page. This declaration followed the national council of the union at the end of the week.
“Higher education and scientific research are not among the priorities of current leaders”, regrets the union of teacher-researchers in its statement.
The latter, which brings together members of the universities of the six provinces of Madagascar, is particularly concerned about the suspension of courses in several university departments due to the non-payment for four years of contractors. Non-civil servant teachers who make up for the lack of staff and who take charge of 70% of teaching at the university.
A lack of resources has also affected research for many years. “The grants allocated to universities and research centers are very low and released late”, say the teacher-researchers, who also deplore a large number of infrastructures “in ruins” “If the State does not react, universities and research centers will close,” they warn.
The communication from the Ministry of Higher Education indicates that it is in constant contact with this union and adds that the budget of its department depends on the finance law. Adding that in terms of infrastructure, “Nine university campuses have been built in several regions of Madagascar”.