Education for Life Program: What you need to know about the workshop to review and prepare the updated strategic reference framework

The workshop dedicated to revising the Life Skills Education Curriculum for primary and secondary schools concluded on Friday, February 20, 2026, following ten days of intensive discussions that began on February 9 in the city of Kinshasa.

Organized by the Directorate of Life Education (DEVC), this strategic initiative received support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Girls’ Learning and Empowerment Project (PAAF).  

The main objective of this review was to update this strategic framework in order to adapt it to the contemporary realities of youth and new educational challenges. The work focused in particular on major issues such as juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, early exposure to sexualized content, and issues related to sexual and reproductive health.

At the conclusion of the discussions, DEVC experts conducted a thorough review of the content, ensuring the coherence of the themes, the clarity of the text, and the document’s alignment with national education priorities.

Speaking at the conclusion of the workshop, DEVC Director and Head of Department Christelle Nsambu commended the quality of the contributions made during the ten-day workshop. She then praised the expertise of the consultant and the commitment of the partners and DEVC staff.

“We wanted to ensure that all topics were fully addressed and clearly explained. A few typos, albeit minor, were identified and can be corrected with the support of the partners. The next steps will involve technical meetings with the consultant and stakeholders to incorporate the amendments and prepare the document for political validation,” she stated, expressing optimism about the process’s swift completion.

 

This review also helped strengthen the cross-cutting integration of gender, inclusion, and equity dimensions, thereby reinforcing the relevance and scope of the Life Skills Education Program.

With this milestone achieved, the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship reaffirms its commitment to equipping the education system with up-to-date tools that are adapted to contemporary challenges and conducive to the holistic development of learners.

Marie Shomba