Kinshasa, July 28th, 2025 (CPA). – The 14% increase in female participation in the 58th session of the State Examination (Exetat), which began on Monday throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) despite security challenges, was welcomed on Monday in Kinshasa in the Prime Minister’s account.
‘I congratulate a record number of participants, more than one million, as well as a 14% increase in the participation of young girls,’ wrote Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of DRC. She noted that the inclusion of pregnant students puts an end to long-standing discrimination in the education system. She also praised the use of E-diploma and S-Note Manager, two digital tools introduced this year to ensure transparency, traceability and reliability of results, while positioning DRC among the pioneers of educational digitization in Africa. ‘The government remains committed to effective, inclusive and credible education. The use of E-diploma and S-Note Manager enhances transparency and reliability, placing our country among the pioneers of educational digitization in Africa,’ she emphasized, before offering words of encouragement to the finalists, calling on them to remain calm and confident in their efforts. The State Exams, which take place from July 28th to 31st, 2025, involve hundreds of thousands of candidates in examination centers spread across the entire country, including in areas that are difficult to access.
Prime Minister Suminwa distributes exam items in a classroom
Judith Suminwa also highlighted the innovations for the 2024-2025 school years, including the use of E-diplomas and S-Note Manager, which she believes will enhance the transparency and reliability of results, while placing DRC among the pioneers of educational digitization in Africa. ‘The government remains committed to effective, inclusive and credible education,’ said the Prime Minister. Since its very first session in 1967, the State Examination has remained a pillar of the education system in the DRC, an annual event that marks the journey of hundreds of thousands of young Congolese people.
Despite past challenges and ongoing insecurity in the east and north-east of the country (Ituri, North and South Kivu), as well as in the Kwamouth territory (Maï-Ndombe province, west of the country), the government’s determination to guarantee access to education remains unwavering, through the Ministry of National Education, which is responsible for primary, secondary and technical education. ‘It is thanks to the resilience of our people and the commitment of the Inspectorate General that we have once again been able to organize this session under acceptable conditions,’ said Raïssa Malu, Minister in charge of National Education, in a statement.