The start of the 2023-2024 school year: the government doesn't want schools to be turned into places of commerce, to the point of blocking access to pupils

Christine Nepa-Nepa, Secretary General for Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education (EPST), explained to the press point 1 of the minister’s directive regarding parents’ freedom to purchase school supplies and uniforms at the market of their choice. This came following a meeting held by Minister Tony Mwaba Kazadi with a delegation from the National Association of Accredited Private Schools (ASSONEPA) on Monday, August 7, 2023. This directive, contained in Minister Tony Mwaba’s letter dated August 4, 2023, to the directors of educational provinces, is subject to multiple and often erroneous interpretations. “The biggest problem is that the government does not want private schools to become commercial entities that block students’ access to education,” said Ms. Christine Nepa Nepa. The ASSONEPA delegation was led by its president, Jean-Didier Masamba Malunga, and its secretary general, Serge Muambay. Speaking next, ASSONEPA President Jean-Didier Masamba Malunga acknowledged to the press the legal and beneficial nature of this directive from the ministerial authority. “We received the practical measures taken by the minister, which raised some questions on our part. We approached the authorities to discuss these provisions. From a legal standpoint, we understand that these measures are in compliance with the various laws governing us. We also understand the minister’s concern that schools should not simply be transformed into commercial enterprises but rather into places of learning par excellence,” stated Jean-Didier Masamba. In the wake of this, the EPST’s secretary general announced that a meeting would be held in the coming days with all operators of accredited private schools to foster a broader understanding. It should be noted that this measure, at the center of a controversy, is one of five measures announced in this correspondence from the supervisory authority to ensure a smooth start to the 2023-2024 school year. The school year is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 4. As a reminder, the Framework Law does not prohibit self-financing activities in private schools. However, such activities are subject to a condition set forth in Article 172 of the law. Glodi Mboma