The province of Kongo-Central, an agricultural region, is going through a worrying situation with regard to the low rate of participation in state exams in development sectors. Indeed, out of more than fifty thousand candidates, only 706 finalists including only 241 girls took part in these tests, which represents an alarming rate of 1.3%. This reality was noted by the Senior Provincial Inspector of EPST, Véronique Atandjo, during the start of the national secondary cycle end test in the Matadi region.
Technical education, focusing on key areas such as veterinary, general agriculture, agricultural industry and nutrition, is crucial for the development of this province. With more than two million hectares of arable land and infrastructure to support farmers such as the National Institute for Agronomic Study and Research (INERA), Kongo-Central has all the assets to train technicians competent farmers.
Véronique Atandjo, aware of the urgency of a qualified workforce in the agricultural sector, is committed to raising parents’ awareness of the importance of technical sectors. She emphasizes that these fields of study are not only beneficial for the economic development of the region, but also essential in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
Thus, encouraging children from primary level to take an interest in technical fields becomes imperative. Technical education should in no case be relegated to the background, but on the contrary, be valued to its due extent. Officials from the educational provinces of Kongo-Central are unanimous in emphasizing the peaceful climate in which the tests are taking place, testifying to the importance given to the education and training of young people in the region.
However, it is time to act more decisively to encourage more meaningful participation in development pipelines. By promoting technical education, raising awareness among families and implementing appropriate educational policies, Kongo-Central will be able to fully exploit its agricultural potential and thus contribute to its own economic and social development.