The atmosphere is tense in Higher Education. On the eve of the 2026 academic year, Minister of State Jacques Fame Ndongo tries to save face, but the two largest teachers’ collectives slam the door on him.
It all starts with a message delivered on September 9, 2026. Minister Fame Ndongo calls for an “important meeting regarding the social climate on campuses” this Friday, September 11 at 11 a.m., room 1036 of ministerial building No. 2, with all university institution heads, the Ministry of Finance, and the unions. The stated goal: to prepare a constructive, inclusive, and republican social dialogue for the start of the academic year. But 24 hours later, it’s a cold shower. Two sharp refusals arrive on his desk.
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The Synes raises the veto
The National Union of Higher Education Teachers, the most powerful in the sector and on total and unlimited strike, responds on September 10 through its general secretary Prof. Jeannette Wogaing Fotso by putting forward three arguments. First, pointing out a procedural flaw. “It is up to the union’s executive, and no one else, to decide the composition of its delegation.” “The minister cannot choose who represents SYNES.” Next, denouncing an unmanageable deadline. Called on the 9th for the 11th, it is impossible to mobilize coordinators from Bamenda, Buea, Douala, Maroua, Ngaoundéré, etc. Finally, she addresses the substance. Since November 2025, Synes has requested a meeting without success. No question of rushing to Yaoundé for a facade meeting. It proposes the week of September 15 to 18.
The Corec supports Synes, denounces 17 months of unkept promises
The same tone at Corec, the Collective of Teachers’ Organizations of Cameroon which federates 17 unions from primary to higher education (SNAES, OTS, TAC, SNUIPEN…). Its coordination secretary, Ngolack Edouard Alyam, writes on September 10 that the deadline is too short to obtain permissions and organize the trip. He later points out a title error. Corec is led by a general secretary of coordination, not a president as written in the invitation.
The collective returns to the contentious issue: the government’s promise in March 2025 of the imminent organization of the National Education Forum and the signing of the Special Status of the Teacher. But “17 months later, teachers wonder what the so-called constructive dialogue sessions are for, which are mostly organized after the launch of a strike call.”
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Despite everything, for the minister all is well, he maintains the meeting
Faced with these two boycotts, Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo does not back down. On September 10 at 6 p.m., he publishes a Radio-Press Communiqué. He maintains the consultation on September 11 and lays out his argument. According to him, state universities are functioning normally. The administrative start has been completed. Pre-registrations have begun. University residences are open. Libraries are operational.
Also, educational activities continue: admissions, competitions, grading, teachings that have restarted early at ENSPY, ENS, ENSET, IUT, thesis defenses, issuance of transcripts. The government remains open to dialogue through permanent consultation frameworks created by presidential decree in 2012, insists the chancellor of academic orders.
Thus, this Friday at 11 a.m., Minister Fame Ndongo will preside over a meeting on the social climate on campuses, without Synes which is on unlimited strike and without Corec which represents 17 unions.