Angola teachers decide whether to end national strike

Angola is facing a national teacher strike as the Sindicato Nacional dos Professores (SINPROF) enters a critical decision phase. Following a six-hour negotiation with the Ministry of Education, SINPROF leaders announced that consensus has been reached on several points that previously divided the union and the government. However, the final decision to lift the strike rests with the teachers themselves, who will vote in assemblies this Friday.

The strike has reportedly seen an adherence rate of over 90% nationwide. The Association of Angolan Teachers (APA) has called for urgent dialogue to resolve the impasse, citing concerns over the stability of the education system. Key demands include career progression, salary leveling, and improved management of professional academic profiles.

Political opposition has also weighed in, with the UNITA parliamentary group expressing solidarity with the educators. UNITA has urged the MPLA-led government to engage in good-faith negotiations and ensure that any agreements are formalized in writing. The opposition highlighted structural issues, such as the exclusion of thousands of teachers from internal access competitions and the need for salary corrections.