Kasaï: the sub-provincial directors of Kasaï 1 and 2 receive motorcycles thanks to PERSE

On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Tshikapa, the sub-provincial directors of the Kasai 1 and 2 educational provinces received Honda motorcycles to facilitate their outreach activities, among other things. These motorcycles were handed over to the recipients through the Project for Equity and Strengthening of the Educational System (PERSE), in the presence of several education officials and educational partners working in Kasai, as well as Governor Dieudonné Pieme. Following a brief speech by Adolphe Kalala, PERSE representative, Deputy Provincial Director Hubert Mudimbi Kabangu, on behalf of his counterparts from the two educational provinces—Kasaï 1 (Tshikapa) and Kasaï 2 (Mweka)—expressed his gratitude to the Head of State for making free primary education possible, praised the efforts of Minister Tony Mwaba, and promised to put these vehicles to good use. “On behalf of all the heads of subdivisions whom I represent, we thank all the political and administrative authorities for the interest shown in everything we do in our respective educational subdivisions. To the provincial representative of the PERSE project, we reiterate our commitment to take good care of this equipment,” he assured. The Governor of Kasai Province, Dieudonné Pieme, who closed the ceremony, welcomed these donations, which will help resolve the mobility challenges faced by these local education authorities. He also praised the policy of free primary education and its impact both nationally and within his administrative jurisdiction. “I am delighted with this wonderful event, a significant milestone in the provision of free education. Everyone knows that the burden children place on their parents has drawn the attention of the President of the Republic. As many steps have been taken, both the national and local communities accept this initiative. Today, the primary indicator of the Head of State’s policy—which, incidentally, constitutes a positive assessment of his first five-year term—is the significant increase in school attendance in the DRC. This satisfactory result has certainly attracted the attention of partners, including you, Perse, who represent the World Bank Group. “Today, you are supporting us with motorcycles so that we can ensure the implementation of this initiative at various levels, consolidate it, and further improve school attendance,” said Dieudonné Pieme. It should be noted that PERSE covers 10 administrative provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Lomami, Kasai, Central Kasai, East Kasai, Kwilu, Central Kongo, and Kinshasa. Thierry Mbebangu