Improving the quality of education in the DRC: Launch of KIX policy dialogue activities

On March 15, 2024, in Kinshasa, DRC, a workshop was held to officially launch policy dialogue activities as part of the Global Partnership for Education’s (GPE) Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), organized by the Ministry of Basic Education in collaboration with the KIX Africa 21 Hub. The event, chaired by Ms. Liyandja Lokese Ludovic, who is Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST) and the personal representative of Minister Tony MWABA, was attended by Mr. Ma-Umba MABIALA, Delegate General for La Francophonie in the DRC, along with many other stakeholders in the Congolese education system. 

In her opening speech on behalf of the Minister, Ms. Liyandja Lokese Ludovic emphasized the efforts made by the Ministry of Education to guarantee the quality of teaching and access to education for all. She highlighted the importance of the KIX program in this process, underlining its crucial role in promoting innovative teaching practices to meet the challenges of the Congolese education system. 

Mr. Ma-Umba Mabiala, for his part, drew attention to the fact that the workshop was being held during an important month dedicated to the celebration of La Francophonie. He also stressed the importance of updating the existing school curricula to prepare pupils for the challenges of the 21st century, praising the awareness-raising activities organized within the KIX framework in the DRC and encouraging the national team to go even further. 

The welcome address made by Mr. Ernest NTOMBI BAINANYAMA, Director of La Francophonie, representing Ms. Christine NEPA NEPA, Secretary General of the EPST and KIX focal point in the DRC, highlighted the objectives of KIX and the mission of the KIX Africa 21 Hub. He also mentioned a series of KIX awareness-raising activities carried out in 7 of the country’s provinces. 

Finally, Ms. Liyandja Lokese Ludovic urged everyone involved in education to take an active part in the next call for innovation proposals. The aim of this approach is to improve educational practices by addressing various priorities, such as initial and in-service teacher training, raising the quality of bi/plurilingual teaching, strengthening educational governance and promoting gender equality and inclusion.