Kinshasa- basic education: Towards the introduction of an adapted soccer program from the start of the 2025-2026 school year

The Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship, in collaboration with the DASP and national and international experts in physical education, has initiated discussions on integrating soccer-focused physical education modules into the core school curriculum. These discussions began on May 28, 2025, with the aim of creating a textbook and official guidelines for schools to integrate soccer into students’ daily physical activities. The main objective is to elevate physical education to the same level as other subjects, including in certification exams. Papy Mangobe Moleka, director of the DASP, emphasized the need for comprehensive training from an early age and the importance of providing teachers with tools to facilitate learning the rules of the game. The ministry is committed to establishing a soccer program tailored to the basic education system and to rolling out this instruction in all schools in Kinshasa starting with the 2025–2026 school year. Experts’ recommendations include child protection, the playability of fields, raising parental awareness, teacher training, and adapting instruction to contemporary needs. Sports and extracurricular activities are recognized as essential for students’ physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development, thereby contributing to their academic success and overall well-being. Marie-France Pala & Véronique Akenda