Facing Vital Kamerhe, Raïssa Malu pleads for improved teacher pay

During a meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, with National Assembly President Vital Kamerhe, Minister of State and Minister of National Education and New Citizenship (EDU-NC) Raïssa Malu called for improved social conditions for teachers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She remains committed to this effort to maintain social peace in her sector. 

“We are grateful to our humble President of the National Assembly, who took the time to meet with me today to advocate on behalf of teachers. As you know, this is a major concern for the government. We are absolutely committed to improving the social conditions of our teachers. The Head of State has instructed us to do everything in our power to improve their conditions and status. And so, it was essential for me to come and speak with the Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly about this issue concerning teachers,” said Minister of State Raïssa Malu.

The head of the EDU-NC sub-sector emphasized the need to address the issue of teachers’ pay with the Speaker of the lower house of parliament, at a time when the ECOFIN Committee is in the midst of drafting the 2025 budget.

“Since the budget will be debated in the Assembly, this was an opportunity for us to advocate that the budget for the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship, specifically in the remuneration section, be allocated additional resources so that we can improve teachers’ working conditions,” she stated. 

Vital Kamerhe was very receptive to this, and promised to personally ensure that all stakeholders, including a representative sample of union members, are involved in the budget drafting process. 

Raïssa Malu praised the National Assembly President’s willingness to listen and the crucial role he plays in this institution, particularly in the way he leads debates, offering relevant guidance aimed at boosting the country’s development.

Christian BELLA