Fatshimetrie, October 7, 2024 – Teaching is a noble vocation that involves passion, dedication and commitment to the education of future generations. On the occasion of International Teachers’ Day celebrated every October 5, the Intersyndicale des syndicats des enseignants in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sent an encouraging message to all teachers, calling on them to continue to teach their lessons with passion for the well-being of children.
Henry Christin Longendja, Vice-President of the Intersyndicale des syndicats des enseignants, stressed the importance of teachers’ passion in exercising their profession, despite the challenges encountered. These challenges include the increase in the number of students due to free education, the weak implementation of agreements with the government, salary inequalities and the abuses of certain paying agents.
To respond to these challenges and promote the teaching profession, the Intersyndicale has made recommendations to the Congolese authorities. In particular, she called for a personal intervention by President Félix Tshisekedi to implement the envisaged measures, such as the special status of teachers and the salary policy. She also advocated for a clear definition of social dialogue mechanisms and the allocation of a substantial budget to guarantee decent salaries.
The Intersyndicale highlighted the need to convene an inter-institutional commission to address urgent issues such as the salary policy and the status of teachers. She also encouraged the government to organize union elections to allow teachers to democratically choose their representatives.
Teachers expressed their satisfaction at seeing their profession honored on this special day. They welcomed the government’s efforts to make education free, while highlighting the additional challenges it brings, such as overwork and increased workload without equivalent salary compensation.
In conclusion, the Intersyndicale des Syndicats des enseignants stressed the importance of promoting the teaching profession and improving the working conditions and remuneration of teachers in the DRC. It called for constructive collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure quality education and a better future for the country’s children.
This International Teachers’ Day highlighted the challenges and aspirations of Congolese teachers, while emphasizing the crucial importance of their role in society. It is essential that the authorities and unions work together to address these challenges and provide teachers with the necessary means to successfully accomplish their educational mission.