Fatshimetrie, edition of August 11, 2024 – This week in Kinshasa, a joint committee bringing together the teachers’ union and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo began its work. The objective of this meeting is to prepare for the 2024-2025 school year and to improve the quality of education in the country.
In an atmosphere of dialogue and cooperation, Jean-Pierre Lihau, Deputy Prime Minister of the Civil Service, stressed the importance of these discussions to restore a prestigious image to Congolese education, far from tensions and extremism. He urged participants to demonstrate patriotism and love for the nation in order to guarantee a peaceful return to school and make the education system more attractive.
The Deputy Prime Minister also discussed the measures taken by the government to grant a more suitable and secure social status to the country’s teachers. He recalled the disastrous consequences of the Rwandan aggression on the national economy and the education sector in the DRC, thus paying tribute to the victims of this conflict.
For her part, Raïssa Malu, Minister of National Education, encouraged teachers to promote civic-mindedness and love of the homeland, stressing the importance of their role in the education of Congolese youth. She stressed the need for collective commitment to achieve the objectives set for the 2024-2025 school year.
The teachers’ inter-union welcomed the new dynamic established in the education sector under the current government. The president of the inter-union, Godefroid Matondo, called for close collaboration between teachers, the government and other stakeholders in the educational field to promote the training of young Congolese people.
In the coming weeks, discussions will continue to improve the quality of education in the DRC, consolidate free primary education, prepare for the start of the school year and improve the working and living conditions of teaching staff.
This work is of crucial importance for the future of education in the DRC and demonstrates the willingness of the different parties to collaborate to offer Congolese children the best opportunities for learning and development.