The DRC has a new Schools Convention after 45 years

The new Agreement on the Management of Public Preschool, Primary, and Secondary Schools was signed on Friday, November 11, 2022, between the Congolese government, represented by the Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education, and the religious denominations at the Minister’s office. Professor Tony Mwaba Kazadi has just completed the reform of the legal framework governing his sub-sector today, following three failed attempts in 2011, 2015, and 2019—45 years later.

Contrary to what was written in the preamble of the previous version of the school agreement, the new version will exclusively bind the Congolese government and religious denominations in terms of partnership. It is not open to other individuals or legal entities, who are free to establish accredited private schools.

The head of the EPST noted that the Agreement of February 26, 1977, was obsolete, unsuitable, and anachronistic, following numerous changes in both the legal and sociopolitical spheres, as well as within the national religious landscape. Professor Tony Mwaba emphasized that many of its provisions deserved to be revisited to adapt them to developments on the ground, especially in light of several reforms underway in his sub-sector, notably the one related to free primary education. According to the minister, this reality was at the root of the dysfunctions observed in the management of schools and even administrative offices. Hence, it was urgent to revisit this school agreement.

“Today is a great day, a new beginning that will mark a turning point in school administration, in how we collaborate with religious denominations, and in how we manage schools. I would like the Church to truly partner with us in this mission of educating the youth through their network of charter schools,” stated Professor Tony Mwaba.

For their part, delegates from various religious denominations thanked the minister for his drive, which has borne fruit and made the Head of State’s vision a reality.

After several failures since 2011 in this regard, the head of the EPST has now succeeded in securing a revision of the School Convention, a success that adds to the various achievements of Professor Tony Mwaba Kazadi since he has been at the helm of the EPST sub-sector.

Christian BELLA