The province of Kasai-Oriental has recently seen a significant drop in the participation rate for the ordinary session of the state exam. Indeed, this year, the number of registered candidates fell by 27% compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 18,687 candidates, of which 38% were girls. A worrying loss of 4,905 candidates compared to the previous year was recorded.
According to the words of the Principal Provincial Inspector (PPI) Ananias Muzadi Kankonde, this decrease is largely explained by the non-payment in full of registration fees by many candidates, thus leading to their disqualification. Indeed, in accordance with official guidelines, only candidates who had paid the entire application fee were authorized to appear on the list of registered candidates. This measure aimed to guarantee the reliability of the data and to ensure the transparency of the enrollment process.
Furthermore, this drop in the number of candidates also had an impact on the organization of exams, leading to a reduction in the number of exam centers, going from 62 in 2023 to 52 in 2024. These structural changes imposed an adaptation rapid development of the educational infrastructure to guarantee the smooth running of the tests.
During the official launch of the exams at Mua Njadi High School in Mbuji-Mayi, Ananias Muzadi Kankonde sent a strong message to the finalist students, encouraging them to demonstrate integrity and focus. He stressed the importance for candidates to invest fully in their tests, highlighting work and merit as the keys to success. He called on the students to reject any form of cheating and to focus on their individual efforts to honor the Kasai-Oriental province.
As the regular session of the state examination continues, finalist students are encouraged to give their best and meet the challenge with determination. This evaluation period represents a crucial stage in the candidates’ academic career, and their success will contribute not only to their own development, but also to the development of the province and the nation as a whole.
In conclusion, this drop in the participation rate for the state exam in the province of Kasaï-Oriental highlights the need for rigorous management of the registration process and preparation of candidates. It highlights the challenges faced by education stakeholders and highlights the importance of promoting values such as integrity, hard work and perseverance within the education system.