DRC: Introduction of an oral English test in the 2026 State Examination

The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced that an oral English exam will be introduced to the State Exam starting with the 2026 session. The announcement was made by Inspector General Hubert Kimbonza Sefu in a letter dated November 4, addressed to all provincial chief inspectors of National Education and New Citizenship. This decision is part of the implementation of Framework Law No. 14/004 of February 11, 2014, which aims to train elites capable of contributing to the country’s harmonious and sustainable development. It is therefore now established that English will be included in the oral exams of the State Examination starting with the 2026 session for all humanities tracks, with the aim of strengthening the language skills of graduating students and enhancing their competitiveness in the scientific and professional worlds. According to this directive, the English examination panels will be organized on the same model as those for the French oral exam, with the same weighting of points and the same scheduling period. Candidates’ results will be recorded on Form E80, a template of which is attached to the directive. This educational innovation marks a major step forward in promoting modern language education in the DRC. It reflects the Ministry’s commitment to adapting the national education system to the demands of the modern world, where proficiency in English in the international professional sphere is an essential asset. Ivan Honoré Mudiangombé