New education minister appointed

President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema appointed Jacqueline Ilogue Bignoumba as minister of National Education and Civic Instruction during a government reshuffle on October 11, 2026. She replaces Camélia Ntoutoume-Leclercq, who had led the ministry since March 2022, with a brief interruption in 2025. Before this role, Bignoumba headed the ministry of Labor, Full Employment, Social Dialogue, and Vocational Training.

Background of the new minister

Jacqueline Ilogue Bignoumba has had a long career in the oil industry and previously served as president of the Gabonese Petroleum Union (UPEGA), a position she took in 2013. Her experience in labor and economic sectors may influence her approach to education and civic instruction.

Education sector challenges

Gabonese media reported on October 6 that there are concerns within the education sector regarding class sizes, working conditions, access to digital tools, the regularization of administrative situations, and the processing of pending professional files. These issues include career management and the availability of resources in educational institutions.

Student well-being and safety

Beyond concerns about staff, the living conditions and safety of students are among the documented challenges. The Council of Ministers on October 8, 2026, presented results from a national survey on health in the school environment, conducted since October 2024 with support from UNESCO and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Survey findings

According to the survey, 29.5 percent of students experience food insecurity at home. In addition, 17.9 percent report having experienced violence or harassment at school, while 9.9 percent indicate having been victims of cyberbullying. The survey also notes that less than a third of institutions have a formal mechanism for handling health care.

New program for school environment

The Council of Ministers approved the inclusion of the national program "School ZEN" in the budget planning of the National Growth and Development Plan 2026-2030. However, the statement does not detail the planned financial resources, the implementation schedule, or the targeted institutions. The new minister thus inherits files related to both the working conditions of staff and the environment in which students follow their education. Future decisions by the ministry will allow clarification of the measures planned and the resources allocated to them.