International Children's Day: OMEP calls for extension of free pre-school education in DRC

The World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) is taking the opportunity of the global celebration of International Children’s Day to reiterate the importance of the Congolese government assuming full responsibility for basic education, in order to restore preschool-aged children’s right to free access to education. In an interview on Monday, November 20, 2023, with the Communication Management Directorate of the Ministry of EPST (DGC-EPST), its president, Michel Otto, called in particular for the expansion of free education at the preschool level in the DRC. DGC-EPST: What can you say about the purpose of this International Children’s Day in the DRC? Michel Otto: November 20 marks World Children’s Rights Day for both the DRC and all United Nations member states, but we note that in the DRC, despite the fact that this day has been designated for many years, no ceremony has been organized. Is this done on purpose? Is it due to a lack of information? I’m not really sure. Today, significant efforts must be made to ensure respect for children’s rights. I’ll take the example of the war situation in eastern DRC, where children are not safe. DGC-EPST: What does the theme “All Rights for Every Child” mean? Michel Otto: No right is inferior to another; the right to health is just as much a right as the right to protection and education, and so on. So there are no “minor” or “major” rights. Take the case of school fees: nowhere in the Republic’s constitution is the term “preschool” mentioned, and while primary education is free, what about preschool-aged children? I believe the solution would have been to incorporate preschool into basic education so that these children could benefit from their right to free basic education DGC-EPST: What is the current state of children’s right to education in the DRC in general? Michel Otto: As I said earlier, preschool remains marginalized; we need fairly rigorous legislation. Only 12% of the teaching staff at the preschool level are qualified, which is a problem. DGC-EPST: Why were blue and white chosen for this occasion? Michel Otto: Blue is nothing other than the color that symbolizes peace. That is why today we asked that everyone who supports efforts to promote children’s rights wear blue. ---- Willy Kambulu and Deleine Diazolakana