Haut-Katanga 1: More than 657,000 new pupils enrolled for the start of the 2025-2026 school year

On Monday, September 1, 2025, the Haut-Katanga 1 Educational Province officially kicked off the 2025–2026 school year at Hodari High School in the municipality of Ruashi. This start of the school year was marked by the enrollment of 657,800 new students in public elementary schools, including 372,405 girls. The ceremony was presided over by John Kitonge Muloba, Provincial Minister of Finance, representing Acting Governor Martin Kazembe Shula. In his remarks, he urged parents to send their children to school in large numbers and called on teachers to commit fully to ensuring a successful school year. For his part, Joseph Mwinkeu Tshiend, Provincial Governor of Haut-Katanga 1, reiterated the national theme chosen for the year:

“Governance, Quality, and Citizenship: Transforming Schools to Build a Resilient and Inclusive DRC.”

According to him, this theme serves as a true compass for the education system: - Governance, to establish discipline, integrity, and accountability. - Quality, to make every classroom a place of excellence. - Citizenship, to nurture responsible, patriotic students who will safeguard the Republic’s future. The ceremony was attended by several officials, including IPP Nicolas Nyange Bizy, Provincial Minister of Education Georges Kadinga Mulundule, and the interim mayor of Lubumbashi, Patrick Kafwimbi. All reaffirmed their determination to support the transformation of the Congolese education system, in line with the vision of the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship. Following the launch, the delegation visited Horizon Middle School in Golf Battant to encourage students and teachers, before attending the first lesson of the year. Moïse Dianyishayi