Launch of the MGP: A decisive step towards a safe and inclusive school environment

At a time when student safety—particularly regarding sexual violence—is becoming a national priority in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship (EDU-NC) established a Complaints Management Mechanism (CMM) in March 2022 to combat sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment (GBV/SEA/SH) in schools. This mechanism, institutionalized through the Equity and Education System Strengthening Project (Perse) supported by the World Bank, aims to strengthen student protection and create a safer school environment for all. The Complaint Management Mechanism operates at all levels The MINEDU-NC’s GCM comprises four structures located at the central, provincial, sub-provincial, and school levels. Following training and capacity-building sessions for focal points in educational provinces and sub-provinces, as well as members of the National Committee, another phase of training for school focal points in PERSE zones was launched in February 2025 and will be organized in a cascade format. The first phase of this training focused on central trainers. It took place in Kisantu, in Kongo-Central, from February 17 to 20. Thirty-five trainers were part of the group, which consisted of delegates from the central administration and NGOs in the education sector. These trainers are tasked with training provincial trainers, who, in turn, will train GBV/EAS/HS focal points in primary schools across the ten provinces covered by the PERSE project. Establishment of Local Complaint Management Committees The cascade training sessions are supervised by the technical assistance provider, Initiative for Integral Development (IDI). The ultimate goal is to establish local complaint management committees. These committees will be tasked with ensuring safety and inclusivity in schools by collecting complaints, grievances, and concerns from members of the educational community, particularly regarding GBV/EAS/HS incidents occurring in school settings. Each local committee consists of three members: a representative of the teachers, a representative of the parents, and a representative of an education sector NGO working in the school’s community. It should be noted that the MGP of MINEDU-NC is a reform that is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of free primary education by creating a safe learning environment accessible to all students. It has established structures, focal points, and a contact center called Allô-école, which operates via the toll-free number 178. Chouquette Bombula and Fleury Dala