Reforms: Discussions launched in Kinshasa to adapt technical education to the real needs of society

Determined to make the education system a true driver of the country’s development, the Government of the DRC, through the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship, launched a conference in Kinshasa on Monday, April 7, with the aim of addressing the gap between the training programs offered and the actual demands of the labor market, while taking into account the country’s economic and social priorities. According to Marie Idi Byote, head of the Technical and Vocational Education Administration Directorate (DAETP), there is currently a “glaring” disconnect between the fields of study taught and the realities on the ground.

"The gap between the fields of study taught and the realities on the ground has become glaring. It is time to rethink our training offerings," she stated in her speech at the opening of the conference.

The conference will take place from April 7 to 11, 2025. It will bring together education experts, representatives of employer associations, and policymakers. Discussions will focus, among other things, on creating bridges between schools and businesses, integrating new technologies into curricula, and actively involving teachers and students in curriculum revision. Thus, the workshop aims to serve as a vital forum for dialogue to position technical and vocational education in the DRC as a driver of integration, innovation, and development, in line with market needs. Paulin Ngenda