The Challenges of University Strikes on Students: A Case Study from Madagascar

Abstract

Achieving higher education in Madagascar is a challenge given the various barriers students must overcome to gain admission into university. However, once enrolled, students often face additional challenges that affect their ability to obtain education. One such challenge is the frequent occurrence of labor strikes at the university. Using a qulatiative approach, this study conducted a survey among alumni and current university students in Madagascar to investigate the perceived causes and consequences of university strikes in Madagascar. The findings from the survey (N=31) showed that all students have experienced delays in their education program ranging from 1-6 months and that strikes were the primary cause of these delays. Governmental lapses in salary payments and scholarship disbursements were identified as the primary catalysts for these disruptive strikes. Despite expressing frustration with the strikes, students directed their discontent primarily at a national level, underscoring a more extensive disillusionment with the government's management of the education sector. Notably, students affirmed their belief in the genuine dedication of their teachers to their education. The study unveils the emotional and financial toll of university strikes, with participants reporting anxiety, frustration, and concerns about education quality. Financially, the strikes compound challenges, affecting job market entry, rent payments, family dynamics, and overall education costs. Alarmingly, there was a consensus among participants that university strikes have led to student disenrollment. These findings serve as a crucial warning for Madagascar, signalling potential erosion of trust in the education system. If students lose faith, there is a risk of reduced educational pursuit or even international migration, contributing to increased brain drain. This poses serious implications for the holistic development and progress of Madagascar. Urgent interventions are imperative to address the root causes of university strikes, restore confidence in the education system, and mitigate the far-reaching consequences on the nation's future