Special session of the Exetat preliminary test: the Government in solidarity with self-taught candidates in the East

Amid a particularly volatile security situation, marked by ongoing clashes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the government, through the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship, successfully organized a special session of the preliminary round of the State Examination. This initiative, held on March 25, 2025, in the educational provinces of North Kivu 1, South Kivu 1, and South Kivu 3, demonstrates both the resilience of the national education system and the central government’s unwavering commitment to guaranteeing the right to education for all, including in areas temporarily occupied by armed groups. A total of 631 self-taught candidates actually took part in this special session, comprising 322 girls (51.03%) and 309 boys (48.97%). Initially, 619 candidates were expected. The 1.94% increase in the number of participants, largely attributable to media outreach and awareness-raising efforts, demonstrates the local population’s enduring trust in public institutions, even in unstable areas. In the North Kivu 1 educational province, 290 candidates were registered at 6 of the 8 planned centers. Although affected by the security situation, this province saw significant mobilization. In South Kivu 1, 301 self-taught candidates turned out, while in South Kivu 3, despite the closure of certain centers in Kabare 2 and Walungu 4 due to tensions between the Wazalendo patriots and M23 rebels, 40 candidates were able to take the exam. Several of them demonstrated remarkable determination by traveling all the way to Bukavu so as not to miss this opportunity. Beyond the numbers, this initiative stands as a powerful testament to national solidarity. It serves as a reminder that, even under the most difficult circumstances, the Government remains committed to upholding the universal right to education. Every candidate, wherever they may be in the country, remains a child of the Republic, and this is where the promise of an inclusive and equitable public service is concretely manifested. Moïse Dianyishayi