EDU- NC Lukunga: La proven popularizes patriotic values among kindergarten and primary school pupils in her jurisdiction

On Monday, February 3, Lukunga’s provincial governor, Ms. Wivine Mude Nkoko Yimbu, presented the circular issued by the Minister of State for National Education and New Citizenship regarding the patriotic values that must now guide the new Congolese citizen. This took place during a sharing session held at the Gombe 1 Institute, bringing together the principals of the preschool and elementary schools within her jurisdiction. Ms. Mude began by defining the concept of new citizenship, which, according to the government, represents an individual and collective commitment by citizens to promote and respect the common good, republican and societal values, while fostering unity. These fundamental values, which must guide the new type of Congolese citizen, must be instilled from the very beginning of education. Hence the choice of preschool and elementary schools as the setting for this promotion. Among these values are the flag salute, which applies to students and teachers who must now sing the national anthem “Debout Congolais” before the flag every first day of the week, the Pledge of Allegiance, which students and teachers will recite every day before the first lesson begins; the establishment of a student council to encourage greater student participation in school management; and communication with parents to strengthen the involvement of all stakeholders. Taking advantage of current political events and incidents that have occurred in some schools recently, Ms. Mude called on students to show greater solidarity and love. “Students must not foster violence in school but rather embrace the values of love and solidarity,” she said. It should be noted that Ms. Raissa Malu, Minister of State for National Education and New Citizenship, recently issued a circular regarding the implementation of measures to promote new citizenship in preschool, primary, and secondary schools. Alain H. Musangu Kinanga & Deleine Diazolakana