The Kongo Central province in the Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated a practical training program for young people in construction through a school workshop in Kinzau-Mvuete. The program was launched by the provincial Minister of Education, Jean Ndombasi, on September 21, 2026. The workshop aims to equip young people with practical skills in construction, particularly in the production of building materials such as stabilized and compressed earth bricks.
The training program is part of the operational phase of debt relief and development contracts between the DR Congo government and the French Development Agency (AFD). The project, known as PREACE, plans to construct 69 new schools in the Kongo Central province. The program is designed to support the government's vision of free education, which has led to an increase in student enrollment in primary schools. The provincial Minister of Education emphasized that the initiative will help address the challenges faced by teachers due to the rising number of students.
The school workshop in Kinzau-Mvuete is the third of its kind in the province, following similar initiatives in Boma and Kisantu. During the launch, Minister Ndombasi stated that the young people recruited for the program will participate in the production of construction materials, including 700 to 1,000 bricks per day. He added that this approach will enable the young people to acquire practical skills while contributing to the construction of school infrastructure.
The coordinator of the PREACE project, Enoch Nzau, highlighted that the program provides practical training in brick-making and quality control. The training is designed to equip the beneficiaries with technical skills in producing and controlling the quality of compressed and stabilized earth bricks. Nzau emphasized that the initiative aims to improve school infrastructure in the province.
The launch event was attended by educational officials, trainers, technicians, workers, learners, partners, and territorial authorities. The program is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector in the Kongo Central province. The provincial government has expressed its commitment to supporting the initiative, which is seen as a step towards achieving the goal of free education.
The PREACE project has been divided into three components, with 41 new schools to be constructed in the Kongo Central 1 education province, 17 in Kongo Central 2, and 11 in Kongo Central 3. The project is being implemented in partnership with the French Development Agency, which is providing financial support. The initiative is expected to improve access to quality education in the region.
The construction of new schools in the Kongo Central province is seen as a critical step towards addressing the challenges faced by the education sector. The province has been experiencing an increase in student enrollment, which has put pressure on existing school infrastructure. The PREACE project is expected to help alleviate some of these challenges and provide young people with practical skills in construction.
Key points
- The Kongo Central province has launched a construction training program for young people through a school workshop in Kinzau-Mvuete.
- The program aims to equip young people with practical skills in construction, particularly in the production of building materials such as stabilized and compressed earth bricks.
- The initiative is part of the PREACE project, which plans to construct 69 new schools in the Kongo Central province.
