RAP: Deputy Minister Jean-Pierre Kezamubru urges compliance with recommendations

On behalf of Minister of State Raïssa Malu, Jean-Pierre Kezamudru, Deputy Minister of National Education and New Citizenship (EDU-NC), closed the Annual Performance Review (RAP) conference on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The three-day conference took place in the Via Nova multipurpose hall in Kinshasa-Gombe.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, participants from 60 educational provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo formulated several recommendations in line with this year’s theme: “Improving the quality of education to stimulate socio-economic development.” Deputy Minister Jean-Pierre Kezamudru used his speaking time to emphasize compliance with all directives.

“I urge everyone—educational stakeholders and partners—to implement the actions and recommendations we have formulated by mutual agreement. I instruct the Acting Secretary General and the Inspector General, who are present here, to closely monitor all activities and actions carried out in the field during the 2024–2025 school year, in accordance with the recommendations issued by this conference,” he said.

The second-in-command of the education sector noted with satisfaction the proceedings of the Annual Performance Review, which, in his view, also met the requirements of the 2016-2025 Sectoral Strategy for Education and Training for the development of the EDU-NC sub-sector. He further believes that this work provides all stakeholders with a unique opportunity to assess the progress already made and plan the tasks that remain to be accomplished in the future.

Finally, the Deputy Minister took this opportunity to emphasize the practical steps that everyone must take to ensure a smooth and effective start to the 2024-2025 school year, before reiterating that free public primary education must be further consolidated and made sustainable. 

Among the recommendations made to the Government of the Republic are the following: to provide the departments with the necessary resources to implement planned activities; to fully involve the Ministry of EDU-NC in the signing of conventions, agreements, and memorandums of understanding that the government concludes with technical and financial partners in support of the sub-sector; and to improve the salaries of PROVEDs and staff and managers of the Administrative Offices by granting a responsibility allowance and to increase operating expenses.

The Cabinet should advocate with the government for full responsibility for the data production process in the sub-sector; improve the disbursement process for the budget allocated to central directorates and services; and establish temporary teaching facilities (tents, modular classrooms) in affected areas for displaced persons or relocated schools. 

The General Secretariat should distribute school kits to students in specific situations in emergency zones; support students in schools facing emergencies; and analyze and promote girls’ enrollment in technical programs through the awarding of scholarships and community outreach.

And finally, the PROVEDs are tasked with providing pedagogical support to teachers in relocated schools; intensifying awareness campaigns on school safety to ensure students’ security in the school environment; and assisting technical departments in developing their Operational Action Plans (OAPs).

Christian BELLA