Tony Mwaba launches the 2023-2024 school year under the theme: "improving the quality of education through good governance and accountability"

"In light of the current challenges, I am designating the 2023–2024 school year under the theme: 'Improving the Quality of Education Through Good Governance and Accountability,'" said Tony Mwaba Kazadi, Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST), Professor Tony Mwaba Kazadi, during the launch on Monday, September 4, of the 2023-2024 school year at the Mulekua Nsapu Primary School and Institute, the first public school to open this year in the Tchad neighborhood of the Mont-Ngafula commune. He was joined by several senior officials from his cabinet, the ministry’s central administration, and educational partners.

This kickoff, which sends all the country’s students back to school, follows the academic calendar. It was an opportunity for Minister Tony Mwaba to ask all educational stakeholders to reflect on their work—beyond all the significant progress made in the sub-sector—and to commit resolutely to the pursuit of excellence. He called on everyone, within their respective spheres of work, to bring to fruition the vision of the Government of the Republic: to build an inclusive, high-quality education system that effectively contributes to the development of the DRC, the promotion of peace, and active democratic citizenship.

Professor Tony Mwaba also highlighted several key initiatives already implemented, providing a retrospective of the previous school year’s activities.

"The 2022-2023 school year was themed: 'Inspectional Trilogy for Quality Education.' This theme, it should be noted, was chosen to align with the objectives assigned to our ministry, with a view to increasing the involvement of all stakeholders and partners in the supervision, training, and re-education of our children," said the minister.

The head of the EPST added: "The achievements we have made in the primary, secondary, and technical education subsector include the management of 23,793 new schools, representing a 57% increase; the construction of 781 schools using the government’s own funds to alleviate overcrowded classrooms; an increase in the monthly salary budget of approximately 166,639,737,151, representing a substantial increase of 238%, the reintegration of 6,121,928 students into the school system, the employment of 279,145 staff members, or 68%, a substantial increase in operating costs for so-called prestigious schools, the allocation of operating funds to model schools—10,000,000 FC per school—and many other measures. "On behalf of the entire educational community, I would like to express my ever-renewed gratitude to His Excellency Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Republic and Head of State, for his legendary concern," he said.

Today’s ceremony was also marked by the distribution of a large batch of UNICEF school kits to students at the Mulekua Nsapu Primary School and Institute, combining practical support with a touch of joy.

Following the official launch, the head of the EPST conducted an inspection tour of several schools in the city of Kinshasa to assess the conditions for the resumption of classes in the classrooms. The procession began its tour at Elimo Santu Middle School in Mont-Ngafula, passing through Lumumba Institute, Massamba School, and Mosengwo Institute in Limeté, before ending at Boboto Middle School in the Gombe district. 

Everywhere he went, the minister gave a positive assessment of the start of the school year and encouraged students to focus on learning throughout the year, which, thanks to his initiative, begins on the first Monday of September and ends on July 2, 2024. 

Christian BELLA