Teaching resumes in Niger universities after month-long strike

Teachers at universities in Niger have ended their month-long strike over pay and academic management.

The strike was called off after Niger’s government agreed to postpone the implementation of new regulations on the management of universities, according to AFP. The proposed regulations included the appointment of deans by decree, a move strongly opposed by the country’s two higher education unions.

The unions were also protesting against a backlog of unpaid staff salaries and bonuses, which Niger’s higher education minister said has now been cleared.

They also demanded health insurance and the payment for supervision and development duty costs. The strike, which began on 3 September, was halted while both sides awaited the outcome of mediation between the government and unions.

However, the minister said that he would not allow the dean and deputy head at the University of Maradi in southern Niger to be elected.

anna.mckie@timeshighereducation.com