Perception de la réforme de la gratuité de l’enseignement primaire par les acteurs éducatifs de la ville de Kinshasa

Since the 2019-2020 school year, the Congolese government has made primary education free of charge by abolishing school fees paid by parents. This abolition of fees has been received in different ways by a number of parameters. This study aims to provide information on the perception of education players in the city of Kinshasa’s perception of free primary education. We administered a survey questionnaire to a non-probability sample of 105 teachers 96 pupils and 96 parents of pupils in a number of elementary school in Kinshasa (more precisely in the commune of Lemba). The results revealed a positive perception of free education among the educational players surveyed. However, it was found that the perception of pupils and parents is more positive than that of teachers. A addition to this perception, the educational players identified positive effects positive (improved enrolment rates) and negative effects of free education (overcrowded classrooms, lower quality of teaching, teacher demotivation). To be effective, this reform must be accompanied by the construction and renovation of public schools as well as improving teachers’ pay.