In 2008 a DIPROMAD study (Directorate of Curriculum and Learning Materials) revealed that the curriculum for agricultural education was outdated and showed gaps. The pedagogical approach was not adapted to current realities.
An analysis of the state examinations conducted between 2005 and 2008 indicated that out of ten different trainings only General Agriculture, Nutrition and Zoology are not disappearing. However, other courses also play an important role in the development of the country, for example Fishing, Forestry and Agricultural Industries.
Early 2009 VVOB and the Ministry of Education organised a workshop where experts recommended that the number of options should be limited to six. Important content of other trainings would be included in this regrouping. The Minister agreed and asked the partners, VVOB in particular, to help implement the recommendations. Moreover, the Minister wanted to see these six new curricula for schools launched in September 2010.
This gave DIPROMAD, along with VVOB, less than one year to not only give new content to the curricula, but also to introduce a new approach: APC (Approach through Competencies). To establish this, several workshops took place from June 2009 until March 2010, led by the Ministry of Education, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, and with the help of Congolese education experts who in doing so also strengthened their own skills in the field of APC.
The curricula have now been introduced in the 1250 schools and the inspection services supported by VVOB. There are annual trainings for teachers, where the Ghent University College plays an important role. The partner highly appreciates this part of the VVOB programme. Everyone involved learns from it and it has a national impact.
Nicolas Bosscher
Coordinator Agricultural Education Programme
VVOB DR Congo
Michel Triest,
Programme Manager
VVOB DR Congo
