Back to school in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Towards an education accessible to all
The start of the 2023-2024 school year in the Democratic Republic of Congo was marked by a strong statement from the Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST), Tony Mwaba Kazadi: “We cannot prevent a child from coming to study because ‘he didn’t pay’. This declaration reflects the will of the Congolese government to guarantee access to education for all children.
In a country where insecurity reigns, particularly in the province of North Kivu, and where school fees are a major obstacle, the minister outlined his strategy at a press conference. He stressed that all children, girls and boys alike, must have the opportunity to access education without financial barriers. However, he also recalled that free education only applies to public primary schools and not to the private sector.
It is important to note that the DRC has a varied educational landscape, with State-partner approved schools, fully public non-agreement schools and private schools. Conventioned and non-conventioned schools offer free education, while private schools finance themselves through school fees paid by parents.
Despite challenges such as insecurity in some parts of the country, lack of resources and teacher strikes, the Congolese government is committed to ensuring access to education for all children. This is done through the implementation of strategies focused on access, quality and governance.
Access to education is a top priority for the Congolese government, which recognizes that education is a fundamental right for every child. By allowing all children to access education, regardless of their financial situation, the government seeks to build a better future for the country.
However, it is also important to emphasize that access to education is not limited to school enrollment alone. There is a need to ensure the quality of teaching, by ensuring that teachers are well trained and supported, and by providing learning programs that are relevant and adapted to the needs of students.
Furthermore, educational governance plays a crucial role in ensuring an efficient and transparent education system. It is essential to put in place control and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the resources allocated to education are used optimally and that there is no misappropriation of funds.
The start of the school year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is therefore marked by the government’s desire to guarantee access to education for all children.. However, the challenges to be overcome are many and require concerted action to build a strong and equitable education system in the country. By promoting access, quality and governance, the DRC aspires to provide every child with the opportunity to realize their full potential through education.