PAAF:Launch of a workshop to create local school networks for secondary schools in the three educational provinces of Ituri

As part of efforts to improve the quality of education through ongoing professional development for teachers in the local school networks (REP) across five main provinces—Kasaï, Kasaï Central, Kasaï Oriental, South Kivu, and Ituri—as well as in three other provinces: Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Kwilu, Lomami, and North Kivu, the Girls’ Learning and Empowerment Project (PAAF) launched a four-day provincial workshop on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Bunia, Ituri Province. This workshop is dedicated to establishing and organizing local school networks for secondary schools in the three educational provinces of Greater Ituri. The event brought together a group of provincial trainers, including pool chief inspectors and educational advisors, with the aim of laying the groundwork for a secondary school networking strategy. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between schools, improve the quality of education, and optimize educational resources, particularly in remote areas or those with limited educational coverage.

“School networking is an effective approach that will help break the isolation of certain secondary schools and strengthen local educational dynamics to facilitate continuing professional development and pedagogical exchanges,” said Rose Leta, a teacher professional development specialist with the PAAF project.

The relevant educational provinces—Ituri 1, Ituri 2, and Ituri 3—face numerous challenges. In this context, the PAAF project strongly encourages educational stakeholders and administrators to adopt this approach to improve the quality of teaching and learning and strengthen teachers’ capacities, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the organization of educational units. Follow-up missions are planned in the coming days by SERNAFOR Secondary, aimed at supporting local teams in implementing neighborhood school networks, defining their operating procedures, and evaluating their impact on educational performance in the short, medium, and long term. It should be noted that this initiative is part of a broader effort to improve education in Ituri Province, promising to enhance access to and the quality of education for all students. Pitié Matondo, RTEDUC