The national primary school leaving examination (ENAFEP) 2023 edition took place on Thursday, June 1 in the educational province of Kasaï Central 1. This year, 62,107 candidates took part in these tests, including 29,233 girls, thus testifying the growing accessibility of primary education in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The national exam, which started in the Diakaja primary school in the commune of Katoka under the watchful eye of the local political and administrative authorities, will end on Thursday 2 June.
The Vice-Governor of Kasaï Central Province, Martin Makita Nfuamba, thanked the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, for his efforts in favor of free basic education. Thanks to this policy, all children, regardless of social class, have access to primary education.
This year, the number of candidates is up from 2022, which had 58,809 primary finalist candidates. The government is working to continue its efforts to ensure that every child has access to education, an essential step towards the sustainable and responsible development of the country.
Despite the progress made in education, other major challenges persist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in terms of security, justice and the food crisis. Citizen movements are also alarmed by the restriction of civic space and electoral pressure. The deputies and senators of Together for the Republic have called for the release of political prisoners and an end to the dictatorship. They thus gathered several voices to denounce the complex situation in the country.
However, not all news is gloomy. Julienne Lusenge has been appointed deputy coordinator of the national monitoring mechanism for the Addis Ababa framework agreement in the DRC, a step forward for the representation of women in peacebuilding.
In short, the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to evolve in several areas, and ENAFEP 2023 is further proof that the country is on the right track in terms of education.