Higher education in danger in Madagascar. This is the alert launched by the Unions of Teachers and Teacher Researchers (SECES) to state officials in a long statement published on its facebook page. A declaration which follows the national council of the union at the end of the week. Degradation of infrastructure, lack of means, non-payment of staff… the union denounces the inaction of the State. .
With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Laetitia Bezain
“Higher education and scientific research are not among the priorities of current leaders”regrets the union of research professors 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 that 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 “ruined” infrastructures “If the state does not react, universities and research centers will close”, do they warn
Contacted, 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. She adds that in terms of infrastructure, ” nine university campuses have been built in several regions of Madagascar. »