IFOD-Caritas teacher payment process: Tony Mwaba pleased with progress made

As planned, the Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education (EPST), Professor Tony Mwaba Kazadi, convened a meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, with delegations from the Central Bank of Congo, IFOD, and Equity BCDC, as well as the Government’s Deputy Authorizing Officer and officials from the departments responsible for teacher payroll.

This was a second meeting focused primarily on the delay in teacher payments in hard-to-reach areas, including Monkoto, Libenge, Kungu, Gemena, Budjala, Katako-Kombe, Yakoma, Dekese, Aru, Makanza, Lukolela, Ingende, Bikoro, and Bomongo. The participants examined what they called “current issues.” Solutions were found and the payroll process has been initiated, which pleases the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education.

"By the end of the week, teachers will actually receive their salaries. However, regarding the budget allocation that remains an issue at the IFOD level, this is a matter beyond our jurisdiction. It has been referred to the payroll monitoring committee, which will review it at its meeting on Friday, barring any unforeseen circumstances. We will have an update after the meeting," said Professor Tony Mwaba.

The head of the EPST called on everyone involved in Friday’s meeting to attend, in order to provide relief to the teachers under IFOD’s purview, who are demanding a month’s worth of back pay.

Christian BELLA