Students in mass demonstration in Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) – Burkinabe students Tuesday embarked on a peaceful demonstration on Ouagadougou streets, in solidarity with their teachers who embarked on strike 10 May demanding better working conditions, PANA reported from here.

The students said they are demonstrating against the government’s refusal to grant their teachers’ request.

PANA reported that on Monday, the students burnt tyres and desks on the roads, blocking traffic on the popular Thomas Sankara Avenue, an area where most of the capital’s teaching institutions are located.

The Teachers Union which launched the strike on 10 May said the teachers' demands included allowances, the advancement of teachers in high schools, overcrowded classrooms, among other issues.

They said the government had failed to live up to its commitment to meet their demands as agreed two years ago.

Meanwhile, the government has convened a meeting Tuesday involving the Civil Service, officials of the Economy and Finance ministry and the teachers aimed at resolving the problem.
-0- PANA IS/JSG/PAN/VAO 14May2013