Kinshasa: IG Hubert Kimbonza popularizes the organization of the English oral test at EXETAT 2026

"The oral English exam will be introduced starting with the 2026 State Exam session," said Hubert Kimbonza, Inspector General of National Education and New Citizenship (EDU-NC), during a working session he held this weekend at Maman Diankeba High School.

Speaking before the Provincial Chief Inspectors (IPP) of Kinshasa and their deputies, as well as English inspectors and teachers, and a representative sample of students, the Inspector General and head of the department emphasized that the ministry has revived this practice, which dates back more than 50 years, upon formal instruction from Minister of State Raïssa Malu, in accordance with the Framework Law on National Education, to allow students to begin familiarizing themselves with spoken English in the classroom before taking the off-session exams, where they will take the English oral exam, as has always been the case with French.

To ensure the effective implementation of this pedagogical innovation, Hubert Kimbonza asked English teachers to revise their teaching methods starting this Monday, placing particular emphasis on spoken English. He therefore reminded English inspectors of their responsibility to ensure that teachers move away from PPO pedagogy—or goal-oriented pedagogy, centered on learning objectives—and adopt APC pedagogy—or the Competency-Based Approach, a teaching method focused on developing practical skills rather than accumulating theoretical knowledge.

"The English course, which will be offered in every track, must align with what students will achieve in their future professional lives. We will revise the curriculum and rethink teaching so that everything we undertake is now contextualized and our children are prepared to be effective in their professional careers," stated the Inspector General of EDU-NC.

Hubert Kimbonza announced that in 2030, the first English essay exam will be administered and that the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship is doing everything possible to ensure that students completing their secondary education are able to speak English and French correctly without having to rely on language training centers.

Christian BELLA