It has been one year since the Regional Director of National Education (DREN) for Atsimo Andrefana, Etsimifaho, resigned along with all regional directors across the country during Madagascar's political upheaval. Since then, the position has remained vacant. Not a month passes without protests being organized outside DREN offices, sometimes demanding various teachers' rights, sometimes calling for payment of outstanding salaries. "The current secretary general of the National Education Ministry is a staff member from DREN Atsimo Andrefana. When he was appointed to that position, we hoped he would accelerate the appointment of a new regional director. But so far, no name has been announced," said a pedagogical advisor yesterday. Calls for expressions of interest were nevertheless issued and about ten valid applications were received. Despite two changes in ministry leadership within a year, the region is still waiting for its DREN. Atsimo Andrefana is thus among the last regions in the country still without a regional director. While awaiting an appointment, non-permanent teachers and temporary staff hope for integration or reconsideration of their situation and are counting on the next DREN to advance their cases. Hundreds of signatures are especially waiting for this elusive solution.