School activities in Kinshasa - Lukunga: PROVED Jean-Pierre Yoy keeps a close eye on things

As part of his policy of results-oriented, community-based management, the Provincial Director (PROVED) of Kinshasa-Lukunga, Jean-Pierre Yoy Bokete, continued his inspection visits on Friday, October 11, 2024, to various schools within his jurisdiction, following the strikes that took place in some public schools across the country. The figures he provided at the end of his tour confirm that school activities are proceeding smoothly. 

According to PROVED Jean-Pierre Yoy, of the 700,000 students expected since the start of the 2024-2025 school year, 698,447 students—or 99.5%—are attending school regularly, including 306,573 students in public schools and 391,874 students in accredited private schools. 1,553 students, or 0.5%, have so far attended school sporadically. 

Of the 3,265 schools in the Kinshasa-Lukunga Educational Province, PROVED stated that the issue arose in 8 schools, including 6 primary schools under the Kisantu Council of Catholic Contract Schools, two of which were awaiting the completion of rehabilitation and construction work. These are NTEMO Primary Schools 1 and 2, which will begin alternating classes in the fully renovated building starting this Monday, October 14, 2024.

Jean-Pierre Yoy further stated that the four other primary schools had been operating on a limited basis, attempting to mimic the stance of schools that had joined the recent strike movements in Kongo-Central.

The PROVED, who was accompanied by the Lukunga crisis committee—comprising, among others, the Provincial Chief Inspector (IPP), the Provincial Director of DINACOPE (DIPROCPE), and a representative of the National Association of Parents of Students of Congo (ANAPECO), called the school principals and teachers of these four schools to order, and they immediately committed to providing uninterrupted instruction to the students.

Jean-Pierre Yoy also noted that two Catholic charter schools under the Makelele Sub-Provincial Coordination (Saint Pierre Primary Schools 1 and 2 in the Kinshasa Provincial Subdivision) had been operating for two weeks with many students, yet the teachers were showing up in classrooms without chalk. The visit by the Lukunga Crisis Committee, he said, prompted these teachers to commit to an effective resumption of classes starting Monday, October 14, 2024.

According to PROVED, the Crisis Committee he established remains vigilant and continues to conduct surprise inspections in schools across Kinshasa-Lukunga to proactively address any situations that could jeopardize the education of 700,000 students in his jurisdiction—including 398,150 girls—spread across 26,644 classrooms.

Jean-Pierre Yoy assured that he has pulled out all the stops to ensure the smooth operation of school activities within his jurisdiction. 

C.B