EPST/ENAFEP 2023: "students at the EP Diakese center did not take the exam on the floor" (Proved Lukunga)

In a video that went viral on social media, several students from the Diakese Elementary School in the Ngaliema 2 EPST provincial subdivision, Lukunga Educational Province, were filmed sitting on the ground as they waited to be called to enter the exam rooms. Contrary to what some social media posts claim, “these students did not take the exam sitting on the floor.” This clarification comes from Yoy Bokete Jean-Pierre, Provincial Director of the Lukunga Educational Province, who spoke to the press on June 2, 2023, following an inspection visit to this private, accredited school. “First, it should be noted that this ENAFEP Center received 1,325 candidates, instead of the 1,100 expected. The Center Director did not want to leave them outside the school grounds, particularly for security reasons. He had them wait in the courtyard while making arrangements to allow them access to the exam rooms. They were under supervision. Watch the video closely: The children do not have exam materials in their hands. They were allowed into the exam rooms and took the exam under proper conditions,” he stated For Proved Yoy Bokete, this video is a premeditated act intended to generate buzz and, if necessary, to gratuitously tarnish the image of the policy extending free primary education in public schools to ENAFEP candidates from accredited private schools. “The President of the Republic has decreed free public primary education. This achievement, which allows students to access quality basic education, does not please everyone. It is for this reason that they produce such videos to undermine the authorities’ efforts,” he added. It should be noted that as soon as this video was posted on social media, Minister Tony Mwaba Kazadi promptly addressed the issue and sent a delegation composed of members of his cabinet, inspectors, and officials from the General Secretariat of the EPST to investigate the situation. This was welcomed by the Proved of Lukunga, who took the opportunity to call on the Director of EP Diakese to improve the school’s capacity to remain viable; otherwise, the supervisory authority will issue an order revoking its accreditation. Bruno Nsaka