Current events in the Democratic Republic of Congo are marked by the implementation of free primary and basic education, a measure defended since 2019 by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. Despite the precarious conditions in schools, particularly due to the lack of suitable infrastructure, nearly 3 million children were able to enroll in school for the year 2022-2023, according to Unicef.
This progress towards free primary and basic education has been welcomed by many Congolese families, who see it as an opportunity to ensure a better future for their children. However, challenges persist, such as overcrowded classes and a lack of training and adequate pay for teachers, with monthly salaries estimated at around $185.
Unfortunately, despite President Tshisekedi’s desire to fight against school dropout, the Kongo Central provincial government has decided to break down school fees to be paid by parents for the 2023-2024 school year. This decision provoked strong reactions, with amounts set at 54,000 FC for children enrolled in nursery education and between 77,000 FC and 87,000 FC for those in the humanities.
For the Kongo Central teachers’ union, this breakdown of school fees does not concern teachers, school heads or unions. According to them, an agreement between the parents’ associations and the provincial government was signed, setting the fees as they were published. However, they fear that these high amounts will cause unprecedented school loss in the region.
Some Internet users from Kongo Central express their dissatisfaction with the provincial governor, claiming that he has not played fair with the population. They believe that this breakdown of school fees could have an impact on the electoral campaign of the governor, who is running in the upcoming legislative elections in the town of Matadi. They call for assistance rather than asphyxiation of the population already facing many difficulties.
It is important to emphasize that free education is a major issue in ensuring access to education for all Congolese children. However, it is equally essential to guarantee favorable teaching conditions and to support teachers in their educational mission. A reflection must be carried out to find solutions which make it possible to reconcile free education with the quality of the education provided.