Kinshasa, August 15th, 2022 (CPA). The provincial minister in charge of Education, relations with Parliament and Mines, Charles Mbutamuntu Lwanga proceeded, on Saturday, to the launch of the work of the 25th extraordinary urban commission for education centered under the theme « The consolidation of the achievements of free education and the strengthening of dialogue between actors in the education sector », organized at the school complex « Marie Immaculée », located in the commune of N’sele in Kinshasa. During this workshop, three issues were discussed, including the management of overcrowded classes in the city of Kinshasa, the management of approved private schools: management and state control in the city of Kinshasa at the time of free education and the safety of schools in Kinshasa. Regarding the participation fees, the provincial minister Mbutamuntu indicated that for 4 years, the Congolese education system has evolved with consistency.
This is how he maintained the amount of 85,000 Fc for the costs of participation in the State Examination (Exétat). Regarding free education, Mr. Mbutamuntu warned the promoters of schools who will not obey hierarchical instructions and they will be sanctioned or even deactivated. However, he praised the efforts made and the sacrifices of everyone in order to achieve the vision of the Head of State, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who places the education of children among the priorities of his five-year term through the consolidation of free education in basic education. The provincial minister Mbutamuntu is reassured by these various recommendations and he promises their validation in a few days with the governor of the city of Kinshasa Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka.
He paid a deserved tribute to the Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST) Tony Mwaba for the realization of free education through the various roaming missions initiated on the ground, in order to soak up the realities in the school environments. He welcomed the involvement of all those who contributed to the success of the 2020-2021 school year, which was characterized by strike movements.
Problems of good management of accredited private schools: nationalization of schools
For his part, the director of the educational province of Tshangu Jean Mvuzi underlined that the management of approved private schools and those which are state-owned in the vile province of Kinshasa poses a problem in schools with regard to State agreements vis- vis-à-vis private schools and approved schools (Catholic, Protestant, Salvationist, Kimbaguist, Islamic etc.) which were supposed to respect the part of the State for the smooth running of the school system, but unfortunately most of these private schools flouted the instructions.
For his part, the chief provincial inspector of Lukunga, Pierre Kabianda focused his communication on the securing of schools in Kinshasa which is an action aimed at preserving security, given that the purpose is to train competent women and men. “It is desirable to liberate man by instilling in him know-how and life skills. These will be accessible, if the security measures are completed, while most schools are not secure,” he said. In addition, the focal point of the 25th urban commission, the director of the educational province of Plateau, said he was moved by the smooth running of this training session which allowed participants to make a contribution through clairvoyance and experience, adapting them to the current living conditions of the parents. Took part in this meeting, the provincial directors, the main provincial inspectors, the deputy directors, the chief inspectors of pools, the presidents of private schools, the presidents of contracted schools, the presidents of assistants for parents of pupils and the presidents unions for a work of synergy, it is pointed out. CPA/
