Addressing Parliament convened in Congress on Monday, December 8, President Félix Tshisekedi unveiled an ambitious transformation plan for the Democratic Republic of Congo's education system. This unprecedented program combines massive investment in infrastructure with a digital revolution aimed at strengthening the credibility of Congolese diplomas.

🚀 New Infrastructure: 14 Universities and More Than 1000

Schools

The government's commitment to infrastructure is colossal, with work scheduled to begin as early as 2026:

1. 14 New Universities: Starting in the first quarter of 2026, new universities will be built. They are designed as integrated and modern campuses , including health centers, reliable energy solutions, state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries and digital spaces.
2. More than 1000 Schools: The construction of more than a thousand new schools is also announced for the entire national territory.
3. Teacher Training: Four teacher training institutes will be operationalized to support this expansion.

🤖 AI and Blockchain: A Digital Revolution Foretold

The DRC aims to position itself as an African pioneer in educational innovation by integrating cutting-edge technologies:

"The DRC is establishing itself as a pioneer in Africa with the correction of the State Examination (Exetat) using modern technologies and artificial intelligence , an electronic diploma secured by blockchain , increased reliability of results, and a decisive fight against document fraud."

This digitization aims to strengthen the credibility of the education system and the international recognition of diplomas, a crucial factor for youth employability. The plan also includes:

1. The complete digitization of educational services via a biometric card.
2. The large-scale deployment of distance learning .

💼 Streamlining and Revaluing the Teaching Profession

Alongside the investment in infrastructure, the president detailed the measures taken to improve governance and the status of educators:

1. Retirement: 1,100 primary school teachers, aged 75 to 82, have been retired and are now being taken care of by the CNSSAP.
2. Regularization: The administrative situation of 2,273 public schools has been regularized, facilitating their budgeting.
3. Salary increase: A supplement of 100,000 Congolese francs has been added to the salary of each teacher.

These actions come in addition to the previous construction of 1,384 new schools as part of the accelerated implementation of free primary education.

⚠️ The Challenges of the Ambitious Program

Although the plan is promising, its implementation will face major obstacles:

1. Funding: The investment required for 14 universities and more than 1000 schools is colossal for the state budget.
2. Governance: Transparency in fund management and quality of project execution will be essential.
3. Sustainability: Maintaining new infrastructure and digital equipment represents a long-term challenge.

🎯 Strategic Challenge for the Future

This educational plan is a key component of Félix Tshisekedi's vision for national development. By focusing on a "modern, accessible, better-equipped and better-supervised school system," the government intends to prepare the skilled workforce essential for the economic transformation of the DRC and a more rational exploitation of its natural resources.

The success of this program will determine the country's ability to build a diversified and competitive economy. The coming months will be crucial in seeing these announcements translate into concrete results.