Tony Mwaba gives the go-ahead for the workshop on education for peace, development and living together

The Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education (EPST), Professor Tony Mwaba Kazadi, opened the workshop on peace education, development, and social cohesion on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. This three-day conference, taking place at the Nganda Center in the municipality of Kintambo, brings together all the coordinators of the country’s Catholic schools, including the sub-sector’s technical and financial partners, with the objective of reflecting on and providing guidance to foster a genuine culture of peace, development, and living together among Congolese students.

In his speech, the head of the EPST first congratulated the organizers on the chosen theme, which, in his view, aligns with the current situation in the eastern part of the Republic.

“At a time when our country is the victim of a barbaric attack by a rogue state—Rwanda, which has allied itself with M23 terrorists to kill, loot, and sow desolation in their wake, thereby dangerously hindering the momentum of development initiated by the DRC—we could not have found a better theme than this one,” declared Professor Tony Mwaba.

The minister then highlighted the role of education in fostering peace, as well as development and social cohesion. He urged the coordinators of Catholic schools, who were present at the opening ceremony, to make these values a priority so as to instill them in young students, thereby ensuring positive citizenship for the benefit of the DRC.

Professor Tony Mwaba also believes that it is time to rebuild a true culture of peace and coexistence, especially during this election season, which is very often marked by intense tensions.

For the record, the head of the EPST reminded the audience of the mission entrusted to him by the President of the Republic, Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, which is to build, in the heart of Africa, a quality education system based on teaching and administrative staff who are increasingly well-trained, motivated, and imbued with ethical, moral, and civic values, working under the best professional conditions.

Hence, he called for the mobilization and support of the Congolese government’s partners in the management of schools, including the Catholic Church, with the aim of continuing the fight against anti-values to ensure the sustainability of free public primary education—a goal that falls within the framework of the effort to ensure access to quality education, improving learning conditions, and enhancing the socio-professional conditions of educators.

Christian BELLA