In recent news in North Kivu, a debate is raging around the decree setting the participation fee for the state exam at 130,000 Congolese francs. This decision taken by the governor of the province provokes mixed reactions.
Many local actors question this measure, arguing that the population of North Kivu, already suffering from the difficult conditions resulting from the war, should not have to bear such costs. They believe that the central government should cover the cost of examinations, not only for displaced children, but for all finalists, given the impact of the war on the entire population.
In a recent press briefing in Goma, the North Kivu governor’s senior advisor in charge of education, Prisca Luanda, stressed that efforts are being made to identify displaced finalists. She also highlighted the role of the central government in making decisions relating to the exemption of examination fees.
Prisca Luanda highlights that the current situation makes the financial burden of examination fees difficult for many parents in the province. She therefore calls on the central government to consider an exemption for all finalists from North Kivu.
It is important to note that the fees for participating in the state exam are set by a provincial committee, which then submits its proposals to the provincial governor. This committee, made up of representatives from educational services, parents, teachers and civil society, evaluates each year the costs associated with the exam.
In short, the question of participation fees for the state exam in North Kivu raises legitimate questions about the equity and accessibility of education in a crisis context. The controversy highlights the challenges facing students, parents and education authorities in a region plagued by instability.