News: Graduation ceremonies in the nursery cycle prohibited in the DRC
The Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tony Muaba Kazadi, recently made a decision that sparked controversy. In a circular note addressed to officials and executives of his ministry, he prohibited the organization of graduation ceremonies at the end of the nursery cycle.
This decision, taken with the aim of putting an end to certain abuses, aims to enforce the instructions in force. Indeed, it had become common to hold graduation ceremonies for nursery school students, a practice that was actually reserved for higher and university level students.
According to Minister Kazadi, these graduation ceremonies in the nursery cycle gave rise to many incidents and negative consequences. By prohibiting their organization, he therefore wishes to prevent such problems in the future.
The Minister’s decision divides opinion. Some parents of students believe that this ban is justified, because it will put an end to the abuses and the financial costs associated with these ceremonies. Others, on the other hand, consider that these ceremonies are important to mark the end of the maternal cycle in a festive and joyful way.
It should also be noted that these graduation ceremonies had become lucrative events for some schools, which required parents to pay a participation fee or to purchase special uniforms. This practice has drawn criticism for the commercialization of education.
Be that as it may, this ban could lead to significant changes in the organization of the end of the nursery cycle in the DRC. Primary schools will now have to comply with this decision and limit themselves to announcing the results without organizing a graduation ceremony.
It remains to be seen how this measure will be implemented and what the consequences will be on the ground. In the meantime, it is clear that Minister Tony Muaba Kazadi is trying to bring order to the education system by ensuring that graduation ceremonies are reserved for the appropriate levels of education, in accordance with the rules in force