GUINEA: Students demand better conditions

Students went on strike at the end of April at two of the Guinea's higher education institutions - the Institut Supérieur des Mines et de la Géologie de Tamakéné-Boké (Géo-Mines) and the Ecole Maritime de Kaloum, in Conakry - reported Aminata.com of Conakry.

After a week, the students at Géo-Mines were still determined to continue their action until their principal demands had been met, reported Aminata. They were protesting against their living and working conditions, particularly lack of electricity for their computer studies, and insufficient or badly organised work placements which they said were vital for their practical training. The strikers included fourth-year students preparing end-of-cycle dissertations.

Meanwhile students at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle Maritime de Conakry walked out calling for better conditions and higher quality courses. They were also demanding removal of the institution's director-general.