Free teachers' bonus and supplementary pay: The government keeps its promises to trade unions

The supplementary pay and the free education bonus for teachers in the DRC are already available at banks. This was announced on Friday, August 6, by the National Directorate for Oversight, Payroll Preparation, and Management of Teachers and Administrative Staff in Educational Institutions, known by the acronym Dinacope. "The National Directorate of Dinacope informs all teachers that, in accordance with the commitments made by the government during the joint committee meeting between the Government and the National Education Teachers’ Union and New Citizenship, the supplementary payment of the free education bonus granted to primary school teachers is already available from payroll operators,” reads the statement signed by Papy Mangobe, Director and Head of Department of this agency. The supplementary free education bonus, which is reserved exclusively for primary school teachers, amounts to 20,000 FC. As for the supplementary pay applicable to all teachers and administrative staff, it amounts to 50,000 FC and will begin next week, the statement specifies. It should be recalled that the government had initiated talks with the teachers’ union to ensure a peaceful start to the school year. Under the enlightened leadership of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa and thanks to the advocacy of the minister in charge, Ms. Raissa Malu, the government had committed to improving teachers’ living conditions. The news of this payment reassures educators of the government’s firm commitment. Alain H. Kinanga Musangu