Kinshasa, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in collaboration with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has announced a significant investment to bolster the education system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership aims to improve primary school teacher training in essential subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics, increase female participation in the teaching profession, and strengthen the leadership role of school principals, benefiting over 15,000 education professionals.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, this investment is a response to the pressing need for quality education in the DRC, where a substantial number of students fail to meet minimum literacy and numeracy standards. The initiative, funded by a €9 million grant from AFD as part of the Global Partnership for Education, represents a concerted effort to address educational challenges and inequalities in the country.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the organization’s commitment to enhancing education across Africa, noting the African Union’s designation of 2024 as the year of education. This project underscores UNESCO and AFD’s dedication to reducing educational disparities and supporting the DRC’s ambitious goals to improve teaching quality and access to education.
Despite achieving significant progress in democratizing access to primary education over the past decade, with nearly 80% of children aged 6 to 11 attending school, the DRC faces challenges in retaining students through the completion of their primary education. UNESCO’s initiatives aim to address the root causes of low literacy and numeracy achievement rates, particularly among girls, by improving teacher training and support.
The project will introduce a new teaching program focused on fundamental skills, promote the professional development of teachers and school principals, and foster collaboration among educators through local school networks. Special efforts will be made to encourage women to join the teaching profession, including gender training for education staff and campaigns to improve the perception of schools as safe environments for young girls.
The collaboration between UNESCO and AFD, formalized with the signing of the implementation agreement by Audrey Azoulay and AFD Chief Executive Officer Rémy Rioux, marks a pivotal step in the international effort to support educational development in the DRC. It aligns with broader goals to ensure that all children have access to quality education, a cornerstone for the country’s development and prosperity.