Kinshasa - Plateau: IG Hubert Kimbonza boosts inspectors' morale to promote values in schools

Having been informed of the illegal fees being charged at Réal Univers School in the Kinshasa-Plateau educational province, the Inspector General of National Education and New Citizenship (EDU-NC) Hubert Kimbonza Sefu personally visited the area, on the instructions of Minister of State Raïssa Malu, to boost the morale of inspectors in order to eradicate extortion in schools and publicize the ministry’s 2024–2029 five-year plan. This educational session took place in the multipurpose hall of the Maman Sifa School Complex in Kinkole.

In his address, the Inspector General, accompanied by Provincial Chief Inspector (IPP) Agathe Mambele, noted that the Kinshasa-Plateau educational province is the epicenter of anti-values, where bribery is increasingly observed in the very first stage of certification exams: the review of final-year students’ records (C7). Hubert Kimbonza also mentioned the first school that fell into the net of the EDU-NC General Inspectorate.

"This involves the École Réal Univers. It was a parent of a graduating student who alerted us, and we commend their initiative. We arrived and indeed found that the allegations were true. The school was even issuing receipts for $40 for the C7. The law is not lenient in this regard. There are several measures that could have been considered, including revoking accreditation, closing the school, or closing the senior classes. But we opted for the least severe measure. We simply closed the senior classes at this school for one year," stated the head of the department.

The Inspector General then emphasized that the students will be placed in other nearby schools according to their parents’ choices, while taking their academic tracks into account. Hubert Kimbonza called on parents in similar situations to denounce these shameful practices, which are not recognized by the Congolese government.

To the inspectors, the headmaster reminded them that primary education is free, including the fees for taking the National Primary School Graduation Exam (ENAFEP) and the costs of reviewing final-year students’ records—a way to raise their awareness so they produce quality, values-based work.

"You must stop extorting money in all its forms. Let us not do to other people’s children what we would not want done to our own children. Come to your senses, dear colleagues; work with integrity, or else God will help me find you and put you out of harm’s way. "I have a mission at the General Inspectorate: to eradicate anti-values. My visit to your province is one of awareness-raising, but when I come down a second time, it will be a visit of punishment, for the evil runs deep," he said.

Continuing his educational session, Hubert Kimbonza proceeded to outline the Ministry’s 2024–2029 Five-Year Plan, with its five guiding principles: dialogue with stakeholders, strengthening administration, investing in teacher training and professional development, promoting equity and inclusion, and the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This 30-page document, he said, serves as a strategic response to the complex challenges facing the Congolese education system. By defining clear priorities and aligning available resources with these priorities, the Five-Year Plan aims to transform the education system into a central pillar of development.

The Inspector General also emphasized that this document places particular emphasis on promoting a new sense of citizenship. On this point, he stressed the responsibility of inspectors in changing mindsets, as they are the architects of this change.

"Develop more strategies, dear colleagues. When we put a mechanism in place, we must always follow up to identify certain practices that bring our education system into disrepute. Therefore, you must resume your field visits as a specific task. I want dynamism; my work relies entirely on my colleagues—that is, you. Shut out distractions and get to work. Do everything you can to obtain accurate information. I will be there to support you, provided that you are able to work," he said.

This training session allowed the head of the General Inspectorate to bring the inspectors back on track, in order to enhance the reputation of the Kinshasa-Plateau educational province.

Christian BELLA