Tony Mwaba inaugurates E.P. 5 Lufungula

Following the inauguration of Félix Tshisekedi Elementary School at the Naval Base, the Minister of Elementary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST), Professor Tony Mwaba Kazadi, accompanied by Deputy Minister Aminata Namasia Bazego, inaugurated Lufungula Primary School No. 5 on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, in the municipality of Lingwala. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Secretary General of the EPST, the Inspector General of the EPST, the minister’s close associates, school administrators, and students.

In his speech, the Minister of EPST noted that today’s inauguration is a positive response to the directive from the President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, who is committed to the rehabilitation and construction of modern schools in military and police camps. He emphasized that E.P. 5 Lufungula is also part of the effort to consolidate the achievements of the Head of State’s first term, specifically to address the consequences of free public primary education, particularly classroom overcrowding. 

"A few months ago, there was no school here that met the standards, because there was no decree establishing or authorizing its operation, let alone teachers who were being supported. Today, that has been accomplished; we pay tribute to the head of state—this school has just been renovated. It has finally been established, equipped, and funded. And I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his reelection," said Professor Tony Mwaba.

Although located in the Lufungula camp, the head of the EPST noted that this brand-new school joins the list of Kinshasa’s leading schools and will now allow police officers’ children to study under better conditions.

According to Minister Tony Mwaba, the Government of the Republic still has many school construction projects in the pipeline, notably the 145 Territories Development Project and other initiatives managed by the Ministry of EPST. But E.P. 5 Lufungula, E.P. Félix Tshisekedi at Camp Force Navale, and other schools set to be inaugurated in a few days have been renovated and built, he said, thanks to the operating funds allocated to the Ministry’s School Infrastructure Directorate.

"It was this Directorate that carried out this project at a low cost. We did not issue a call for bids, neither public nor restricted. I assure you that with minimal expense, we managed to complete this project," stated the head of the EPST.

Professor Tony Mwaba called on the administrators of E.P. 5 Lufungula to take good care of this school, including maintaining the quality of the paint and the upkeep of the desks using the operating funds.

The minister concluded by stating that the Government of the Republic is committed not only to free public primary education but also to the quality of learning throughout the DRC.

Christian BELLA