**Deciphering the 2025 budget review in the National Assembly: A crucial step towards resolving social demands**
The review of the draft finance bill for the 2025 financial year in the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo is of crucial importance in terms of its impact on social demands, mainly those emanating from teachers. Indeed, the delegates of the teachers’ unions of the Ministry of National Education will actively participate in the work of the Economy and Finance Committee, thus demonstrating a strong desire to include key stakeholders in the decision-making process.
The statement by the President of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe, on the presence of teachers’ unions in this committee is a strong signal to all sectors of national life. By demonstrating the importance given to consultation and transparency in budget preparation, this approach shows a desire to respond to the legitimate concerns of teachers, key stakeholders in Congolese society.
The meeting between Vital Kamerhe and the Minister of National Education and New Citizenship, Raïssa Malu, underlines the urgency of addressing teachers’ demands, particularly those related to salary conditions. Recognizing the social and economic impact of teachers and their power of mobilization is an essential preliminary step towards resolving persistent tensions in the education sector.
The 2024-2025 school year, launched a few weeks ago, was marred by strike movements in some provinces, despite the signing of agreements between the government and teachers’ unions. This situation underlines the urgency of genuine consultation and consideration of teachers’ legitimate demands to ensure a stable and quality education system.
In short, the examination of the 2025 budget in the National Assembly is taking place in a tense social and educational context, where the issues of social justice and institutional stability are preponderant. By including social actors in decision-making processes and responding to legitimate demands, the Congolese authorities could lay the foundations for more inclusive and consensual governance, responding to the real needs of the population.