DRC NGO calls for strict oversight of decentralized exam correction

The NGO HERAPIN ASBL is calling on the Ministry of National Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo to strengthen oversight measures for the correction of the State Examination, following the decentralization of this process.

While HERAPIN acknowledges the benefits of decentralizing correction centers, which can speed up the processing of exam papers and reduce the time it takes to publish results, the organization stresses that this reform must be accompanied by guarantees to prevent fraud and favoritism.

Albert Ibonga, the national coordinator, expressed these concerns in an interview, highlighting the multiplication of correction centers across various provinces. He stated that the regionalization of scanning and correction centers is a significant advancement, enabling faster processing and quicker result publication.

However, HERAPIN believes that this decentralization must be supported by rigorous control mechanisms. "HERAPIN welcomes the reforms and innovations that the Congolese government is implementing, particularly the regionalization of scanning centers to speed up correction and reduce the publication time of results. However, this approach must be followed by oversight measures to avoid entrenching favoritism practices," Ibonga said.

To ensure greater transparency and promote meritocracy, HERAPIN recommends that exam papers be corrected outside their original geographical area. For instance, they suggest that papers from the Grand Katanga region could be sent to the Grand Équateur for correction, while those from Kinshasa could be corrected in Kisangani.

According to Ibonga, such a measure would help limit the risks of favoritism, strengthen the national character of the State Examination, and build greater confidence in the results.