The Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education sub-sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently facing social unrest, threatening to disrupt educational activities. Teachers, represented by various trade union organizations, are expressing dissatisfaction and demanding the Government fulfill promises made regarding salary payments and other benefits.
The Intersyndicale des Syndicats des Enseignants de l’EPST has highlighted the Government’s delay in fulfilling these commitments, originally planned for April 2024. If these promises are not honored, unions threaten to boycott certification assessments scheduled for this year. This action could jeopardize the smooth conduct of important exams such as the End of Primary Studies Examination, the National Test of Selection and Academic and Professional Orientation, and the Examination of State.
At the provincial level, the Congo Teachers’ Union in Haut Katanga is intensifying demands, warning of potential large-scale union actions if the Government fails to uphold its commitments. Teachers, particularly, seek the payment of agreed salaries and the regularization of their salary situation to avoid disruptions in classes and a potential boycott of official exams.
Simultaneously, the National Union of Education Inspectors in Congo is also demanding salary adjustments and seeking the regularization of inspector salaries. They are warning of possible interruptions in the organization of the State Examination if these measures are not implemented.
Despite the union pressure, the Government has remained silent, leaving uncertainty regarding the fulfillment of commitments made to teachers. Official sources suggest a partial realization of promises in April with other measures potentially postponed to the third quarter of the year.
The situation raises questions about the sincerity of commitments and the reliability of unions in representing teachers’ interests. Some observers speculate that trade union demands could potentially serve political agendas at the expense of education and the well-being of education sector participants.
In essence, the tensions between teachers’ unions and the Congolese Government underscore the ongoing challenges in the country’s education sector. This situation emphasizes the necessity for constructive collaboration to establish a stable and supportive educational environment for the development of both students and teachers.