The Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education, Tony Muaba Kazadi, recently made a controversial decision regarding the organization of graduation ceremonies at the end of the nursery cycle. In his circular note, the Minister prohibited the heads of institutions from organizing these ceremonies, stressing that they were reserved exclusively for recipients of higher and university level.
This decision has drawn mixed reactions among the parents of students. Some support the Minister’s decision, believing that these ceremonies gave rise to incidents and anti-values. According to them, it is preferable to limit oneself to the proclamation of the results, without organizing costly ceremonies.
Other parents, however, oppose this ban and consider that it restricts their freedom to celebrate the end of their child’s maternal cycle. They believe that the convocation ceremony allows the child to become aware of his achievement and to celebrate this important moment as a family.
This ban also raises questions about the motivations behind the organization of these ceremonies. Some observers note that this may be linked to a profit motive by schools, which require participation fees or the sale of uniforms. Others point out that schools use these ceremonies as a way to advertise themselves and attract new students.
It is important to note that this decision comes after the end of the 2022-2023 school year, which means that preschools will have to comply with this instruction from the next school year.
In conclusion, the decision of the Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education to prohibit the organization of graduation ceremonies in the nursery cycle arouses divergent opinions among the parents of pupils. While some support this decision, believing that it could prevent incidents and anti-values, others consider that it restricts their freedom to celebrate the success of their child. It is essential to find a balance between practical considerations and the aspirations of families in this debate.