PAAF: MINEDU-NC will soon have a consolidated normative framework for school infrastructure in the DRC

[et_pb_section admin_label="section"] [et_pb_row admin_label="row"] [et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text"]The Acting Secretary General of National Education and New Citizenship officially launched the work of the commission tasked with developing a consolidated training framework for the design, construction, and management of school infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The commission’s work, which took place in the Yvonne Kompere Room at the Sultani Hotel on Wednesday, July 23, in Kinshasa, aims in particular to provide the country with a single, updated set of standards to ensure the quality, sustainability, safety, and inclusivity of school infrastructure throughout the entire national territory. This regulatory framework will also incorporate essential elements such as accessibility for people with reduced mobility, climate resilience, WASH infrastructure, student safety, and the ergonomics of learning spaces. It should be noted that the commission’s activities are supported by the PAAF project with assistance from the World Bank. Through this initiative, PAAF is helping to strengthen the foundations of a school environment conducive to the development and success of students, particularly girls, while ensuring the quality of the infrastructure that accommodates them. This technical commission is therefore composed of sectoral experts from various public institutions, professional organizations, and technical partners, whose mission is to produce regulatory guidelines and validate standard plans for school infrastructure. This event was attended by high-level government representatives, members of the Office of the Minister of EDU-NC, commission members, representatives of professional associations, representatives of sectoral ministries, and the World Bank representative. The Director and Head of the National Directorate for the Construction, Maintenance, Rehabilitation, and Management of School Infrastructure (DINAC), Eloi Kumbo Bopey, as well as Ms. Alice Ntumba, Deputy Coordinator of the PAAF, also took part in this ceremony. Opening the proceedings on behalf of Minister of State Raïssa Malu, Acting Secretary General Alexis Yoka La Pulinangu emphasized that school infrastructure also contributes to improving the quality of education. “Indeed, as you know, there can be no quality in education without modern, sustainable school infrastructure adapted to current needs,” he stated. He added, “This commission established by H.E. the Minister of State plays a strategic role in operationalizing the objectives related to the 2024–2029 five-year plan, which aims to modernize school infrastructure and integrate modern technologies essential for quality education.” “The expected outcome is clear: to produce a consolidated regulatory framework that will henceforth serve as a guide for all school projects, whether public or private, while ensuring better planning, smooth project implementation, and effective management of school infrastructure, as well as alignment with national and international standards.” As for the members of the commission, Alexis Yoka La Pulinangu called for rigorous work. “Dear members of the commission, I am counting on your proven expertise and your dedication to accomplish this mission, which is essential to the development of our education system,” the Acting Secretary-General told EDU-NC. It should be noted that among its responsibilities, DINAC develops school infrastructure standards, enforces them, and monitors their implementation. This department is therefore central to the deliverable that will be produced. Speaking to the press, Eloi Kumbo Bopey emphasized the importance of this commission: “The mandate of this commission is to truly reflect on and establish new standards—a new regulatory framework that can be used in the implementation of all school infrastructure projects in our country.” According to the Deputy Director General of DINAC, this consolidated regulatory framework will be mandatory, and all school infrastructure projects must comply with it. “This regulatory framework will apply to everyone. If you wish to enter our education system or build a school, you will come to us, we will provide you with a regulatory framework, and you must comply with it,” stated Eloi Kumbo. This process thus marks a decisive step toward the sustainable improvement of learning conditions in schools across the DRC. Nodriche Kasaï & Marie Shomba[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column] [/et_pb_row] [/et_pb_section]