Rationalization of management offices: Vice-Minister Aminata Namasia installs the National Technical Committee

The Deputy Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education, Aminata Namasia, presided over a dual ceremony on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Kinshasa district office in the Gombe commune, in the presence of Ms. Mathilde Inzun On’Sakatom, Director-General of the National Student Identification Service (SERNIE), representing the Secretary General of the EPST.

The main items on the agenda for this dual ceremony were the official installation of the National Technical Rationalization Committee (CTNR) and the validation of the revised humanities curricula. Several prominent figures from the EPST’s central administration and representatives of technical and financial partners responded in large numbers to the Secretary General’s invitation. The two ceremonies, held concurrently, were organized under the auspices of the Directorate of Teacher Training and Administrative Offices. The first activity led by DIFORE-BG—namely, the establishment of the CTNR—is part of the administrative, financial, asset, and human resources reform of the Administrative Offices, known as the Rationalization of Administrative Offices and Public Educational Institutions. It is being implemented as part of the Project for Equity and Strengthening of the Education System (PERSE), supported by the World Bank, as highlighted by the Deputy Coordinator of PERSE, Guy Lombela Wembo, in his remarks.

The rationalization of the Management Offices and public educational institutions is a process through which the education system, within the EPST sub-sector, will be made more effective and efficient, according to the explanations provided by the Representative of the Secretary-General in her speech. She added that these management offices will be staffed based on actual needs. PERSE is implementing the rationalization of the Management Offices in accordance with the partnership agreement between the Government and the World Bank, as it is one of seven commitments made by the Government to strengthen the implementation of free primary education. Indeed, Director Yoka spoke in his presentation about studies conducted on existing management offices that demonstrate the intrinsic link between free primary education and rationalization. The context now shaped and dictated by free education makes this reform imperative in order to free up the resources necessary for the sustainability of free primary education.

Rationalization applies to both existing administrative offices and educational institutions, as well as those yet to be established. Thus, to oversee the process and bring it more into line with the standards to be established, a ministerial decree creates technical rationalization committees at the central and provincial levels, as Director Yoka so eloquently presented. It is also noted that the primary mission of the CNTR established today is to coordinate the rationalization process of administrative offices and public schools throughout the DRC.

Speaking with greater solemnity in her address, Deputy Minister Aminata Namasia, before inaugurating the CNTR, first recalled the three educational resources that accompany the rationalization. She emphasized that this is possible thanks to the political will of the Head of State. Also praising Minister Tony Mwaba Kazadi, the Deputy Minister delivered her speech in recognition of the EPST head’s efforts on behalf of this ministry. She also commended PERSE’s considerable efforts in supporting the EPST to establish a management system focused primarily on results.

Furthermore, she called for the support of all stakeholders to implement this reform in its entirety, while assuring that the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with technical and financial support as well as the assistance of educational partners operating in the sub-sector, will do everything possible to address the other challenges related to the widespread implementation of the reforms that were highlighted at the dual ceremony on December 1, 2022.

It should be noted that 14 of the 17 members of the CNTR were formally installed by the Deputy Minister, following the reading of the Minutes and their signature by each of the members present. A kit prepared by PERSE was presented to each member by the Deputy Minister as a symbol of their work.

The installation of the CNTR has just concluded the activities related to raising awareness about BG. Others will follow starting next year, leading, among other things, to the development of rationalization plans.

Fleury Dala and Mussa Magalie, with the collaboration of Pelengamo Dorcas