The price of free primary education in public schools in DR Congo is estimated at about 28 million USD per month. This figure put forward by the deputy spokesman of the head of state was stopped by the interministerial commission which worked on the modalities of implementation of this gratuitousness.

Indeed, the operationalization of free primary education made compulsory in public institutions by the Constitution of the Republic in Article 43 requires the National Executive to mobilize significant resources including financial. Because, it is obvious that what is not paid by the parents must be supported by the State.

Une commission a été mise en place pour étudier la question de la gratuité de l'enseignement à l'école primaire et surtout sa faisabilité( min EPSP, Finances, Budget )
On nagerait dans les 28.millions de dollars par mois pour les écoles publiques. ..
C'est possible ! https://t.co/h5oSYRZ8yw

— Tina Salama (@TinaSalama2) August 8, 2019

Suppression at the discharge of the parents
Among school fees removed in public institutions, the interim Minister of Primary, Secondary and Professional Education (EPSP), cited Minverval, School Insurance, student identification fees and report card.

In return, the schools will benefit in particular from the monthly running costs to the schools concerned.

« I officially inform you that all tuition fees, in all their forms and throughout the national territory, are abolished in all public institutions of basic education. No parent is required to pay these fees. Those who have already done so must be reimbursed. It’s clear like clear water in a clear glass, « said Emery Okundji Ndjovu announcing the holding of the second Round Table on the operationalization of free primary education in the DRC.

Towards relevant resolutions
Stakeholders in basic education in the DRC will meet from 22 to 24 August 2019, under the high patronage of the Head of State, to examine the practical modalities that will allow the effective implementation of free education from the start of the school year. school year 2019-2020.

Talking about themes, Emery Okundji said the debates will focus on « the legal and regulatory framework, funding, conditions for student reception, teacher training, the quality of learning and management of the sub-sector. the EPSP in terms of rationality of transparency and accountability. « 

The Minister of the EPSP also specified that three commissions will study it in order to arrive at relevant recommendations and resolutions to engage all the stakeholders.

« It will be a national consensus on a matter of national interest around the implementation of free basic education, » he insisted.

Parents, promoters and teachers from all over the Republic should therefore await the outcome of this Round Table to know the measures to apply free basic education in public schools in DR Congo.

La Deuxième Table Ronde Nationale sur la Gratuité de l’Education de Base va se tenir à Kinshasa (Kempinski Fleuve Congo Hôtel)du 22 au 24 Août 2019.#Que Dieu bénisse la RDC. pic.twitter.com/hXuIP68kko

— Emery Okundji Ndjovu (@EmeryOkundji) August 20, 2019

For the head of state, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, it is simply question of respecting the Constitution of the Republic to provide this public service and restore to the Congolese child his fundamental right to education. This is obviously a process that should continue until the humanities, 18 years of age of the Congolese child.

Emilie MBOYO