President Mamadi Doumbouya officially appointed Alpha Bacar Barry as Minister of National Education, Literacy, Technical Education, and Vocational Training through a presidential decree read on national television on Monday evening, February 2.
Barry confirmed the appointment hours later on his Facebook account, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him and acknowledging the scale of the mission ahead.
A seasoned technocrat, Barry holds degrees in literature and journalism from Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry and advanced studies in management and governance in Europe, including France and the United Kingdom. He previously served as Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Employment in 2021 and later as Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation in 2024.
His experience across higher education, technical training, and employment policy gives him a cross-sector perspective on Guinea’s human capital challenges, a background that partly informed President Doumbouya’s decision to assign him the broader portfolio.
The new minister faces a demanding agenda: Guinea’s literacy rate remains at 45.33%, with significant urban-rural and gender disparities, while technical and vocational schools recorded a 53.82% success rate for the 2025–2026 academic year. Challenges include aging equipment, a shortage of qualified instructors, and weak alignment with the private sector, according to the International Labour Organization.
Authorities aim to integrate literacy, general education, and vocational training to create coherent pathways to employment and self-employment. Observers will closely monitor Barry’s ability to implement reforms that enhance access, quality, and employability, particularly for young people and vulnerable populations.
