DRC exams proceed amid strict Ebola prevention measures

Democratic Republic of Congo is set to launch its national primary school exit exams on Thursday, May 4, across the country. However, education officials are emphasizing the critical need for all participants and organizers to strictly follow preventive measures against the Ebola virus.

Hubert Kimbonza, the Inspector General of National Education, confirmed the exam schedule. The primary school exit exams (ENAFEP) will run from May 4 to May 5, 2026. Following this, the national school selection and orientation test (TENASOSP) is scheduled for May 11 to May 12, 2026.

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The ENAFEF will take place from Monday, May 4 to Tuesday, May 5, 2026. As for the orientation, that is, the TENASOSP (national school selection and professional orientation test), from Thursday, May 11 to Friday, May 12, 2026.

Kimbonza specifically highlighted the importance of these measures in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, regions that have been particularly affected by the Ebola outbreak. He stressed that candidates must wear masks during the examinations. Furthermore, he instructed center heads to ensure the availability of handwashing stations equipped with soap and hydroalcoholic gel, cautioning against the use of plain water alone.

Social distancing will also be a key requirement during the exam period. The Inspector General's directives aim to balance the continuation of essential educational assessments with the urgent public health imperative to curb the spread of Ebola.

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We ask all center heads to ensure that we have what are called 'handwashing points' in each center. It is not enough for children to wash their hands with plain water; there must also be soap and hydroalcoholic gel where they wash their hands.