Technical and Vocational Education: DRC ratifies UNESCO convention

The government of the DRC has just ratified the UNESCO Convention on Technical and Vocational Education. The news was reported by the Congolese public broadcaster, RTNC, on Monday, February 10. The UNESCO Convention on Technical and Vocational Education, to which the DRC is now a party through this ratification, covers all forms and levels of technical and vocational education. It applies to educational institutions as well as to cooperative programs organized jointly by these institutions and industrial, agricultural, commercial, or other sectors related to the world of work. Presented by the Minister of Vocational Training, Mr. Marc Ekila Likombo, this text had already been approved by the government at the 21st meeting of the Council of Ministers on November 8, 2024. The implementation of this convention is carried out in accordance with the constitutional provisions and legislation of each contracting state, in accordance with Article 129 of the Constitution. Minister Ekila had, in his remarks, justified his action by the need to have the instruments of ratification for this Paris Convention submitted to the UNESCO General Assembly scheduled to take place in Paris in February 2025, which will be done following this ratification in February, just a few days before the meeting in Paris. It must be acknowledged that this ratification is the result of work carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa by the Minister of Vocational Training, Maître Marc Ekila Likombo. This convention will bring several benefits to the technical and vocational education sector. Alain H. Musangu Kinanga