Guinea schools face infrastructure decay and uneven attendance

The 2026-2027 school year in Guinea is facing significant challenges due to deteriorating infrastructure and uneven student mobilization. In Gbessia Centre, the local primary school, which has not undergone major renovations since 1977, is in a state of advanced decay. Students are forced to attend classes in flooded rooms during rainy periods due to leaking roofs, and many classrooms have been abandoned by the administration due to safety concerns. The school's leadership has issued an urgent appeal to authorities and donors for rehabilitation, citing inadequate sanitation and a lack of basic furniture.

In the Bouré Kintinian prefecture, the start of the academic year has been inconsistent. While Kintinian-centre and Boukaria report high student attendance and mobilized teaching staff, other areas like Bouré Setiguia and Bouré Balato are struggling. In Bouré Balato, schools reported nearly empty classrooms, absent teachers, and broken furniture, highlighting a stark divide in educational readiness across the region.