The recent organization of the training workshop in Kinshasa on “Capacity building of statistical agents of the Ministry of Education on the themes of adolescent health and well-being” raises crucial issues regarding the improvement of the quality of educational policies in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This event, orchestrated by UNESCO, highlights the need to integrate cross-cutting indicators into educational data collection tools, in order to better understand the specific realities of young people in terms of health and well-being.
The interventions of Isaias Barreto da Rosa, UNESCO representative in the DRC, and Hilaire Yogo, Director of the Directorate of Information and Education Management (DIGE), demonstrate the importance given to this innovative approach. Indeed, the enrichment of the statistical data collected will allow a more precise assessment of the needs of adolescents in terms of sexual health, human rights and overall well-being.
This workshop is a continuation of the “Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3)” programme launched by UNESCO in 2018. This programme aims to empower young people in sub-Saharan Africa by providing them with quality comprehensive sexuality education in order to prevent HIV, reduce teenage pregnancies and combat gender-based violence. With the participation of around fifty education sector agents, experts from the Education Management Information System (EMIS) and technical and financial partners, this workshop represents a unique opportunity to strengthen the capacities of key actors in promoting the health and well-being of young people.
In conclusion, UNESCO’s initiative to improve the collection and analysis of educational data by integrating adolescent health and well-being indicators is a significant step towards a more comprehensive consideration of the needs of young people in the Congolese education system. By focusing on the empowerment of young people and the promotion of their well-being, this approach paves the way for more inclusive educational policies adapted to the realities of Congolese youth.