Staff representatives at Sacred Heart Comprehensive College (SAHECCOL) in Fiango-Kumba have issued a formal strike notice to Catholic authorities, threatening a total shutdown of the institution starting Jan. 14 if demands for administrative changes and wage increases are not met.
In a letter dated Jan. 5 addressed to the Catholic Education Secretary of the Diocese of Kumba, workers accused the school’s principal, Rev. Fr. Richard Njoh Fominyen, of “tyrannical” leadership and financial mismanagement. The representatives are calling for his immediate transfer, alleging he has illegally withheld salaries and shown “complete disregard” for staff.
Key elements of the dispute include:
- Wages vs. Growth: Staff noted that the student population has surged from 600 to 1,400 over six years, and tuition fees have increased, yet employee salaries remain stagnant.
- Profit Claims: The notice claims reliable sources indicate the college made a profit of over 70 million francs last academic year, with projections exceeding 100 million francs for the current year.
- Labor Violations: Workers are demanding the restitution of housing and duty allowances prescribed by the Cameroon Labour Code, alongside the implementation of long-overdue biennial salary increments.
- Administrative Reform: The staff is demanding a move to pay salaries through financial institutions, citing a loss of confidence in the school bursar.
The planned industrial action will begin with a three-day sit-in from Jan. 14 to Jan. 16. If no satisfactory response is received, the staff stated they will resume an indefinite strike on Jan. 20, halting all teaching, learning, and administrative services.
The Meme Divisional Delegate for Labour and Social Security who was copied in the strike letter has called for a meeting with the Workers’ representatives on January 9, 2026.
