Citizen transformation: Provincial directors attend capacity-building workshop

On August 23, 2025, the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship launched the third edition of the capacity-building workshop for provincial directors. This edition is themed around “citizen transformation” and was held at Villa Daniella in the Nsélé district of Kinshasa. This activity is part of Priority Strategic Axis 3 of the five-year plan of the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship, which aims to strengthen the capacities of managers. Under this priority, the Ministry plans to implement targeted training programs for administrative managers at all levels. These training sessions will focus on strategic planning, human resources management, budget management, and performance evaluation. The goal is to equip managers with the necessary skills to effectively lead educational reforms. It should be noted that the workshop was held under the patronage of Ms. Raïssa Malu, Minister of State, Minister of National Education and New Citizenship. The event brought together 58 provincial directors from across the country, with the theme: “From Administrative Leadership to Civic Transformation: Addressing the Challenges of Congolese Schools.” Organized by Mr. Alexis YOKA, Acting Secretary General, this meeting aims to strengthen the strategic role of provincial directors. They are considered essential pillars of educational governance, which must be proactive, inclusive, and forward-looking. The need for such a transformation is more relevant than ever, given the contemporary challenges facing education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The opening ceremony served as a reminder of the importance of the Provincial Directors’ mission, which extends beyond mere school management. The Acting Secretary General emphasized that these leaders must actively engage in educational governance, particularly by addressing challenges such as free education, infrastructure deficits, and digital integration. The objectives of this meeting are clear: to equip Provincial Directors to improve the quality of education and promote citizenship. Among the identified priorities are examining governance issues, promoting responsible citizenship, and defining a national roadmap. Expected outcomes include a shared vision and concrete strategies to make Congolese schools more inclusive and resilient. The first day was rich in discussion thanks to presentations by Directors-General of Central Services, addressing a variety of topics ranging from the strategic role of Provincial Directors to challenges of inclusion in education. These discussions led to the formulation of recommendations that will guide future educational initiatives. It is important to note that this meeting laid the groundwork for a transformed Congolese school system, with the establishment of a mechanism to monitor the implementation of these recommendations. The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship reaffirms its commitment to modernized educational governance, thereby responding to the aspirations of the youth and national ambitions. Célestin Zeula