The Congolese government has ordered schools to stop excluding pregnant girls. The Catholic Church maintains its policy of asking pregnant girls to transfer to state schools. A Church official stated that the government directive does not apply to the country's Catholic schools. The Church cites the management agreement with the state, which emphasizes student morality and discipline, as the reason for its stance.
5 months ago
The Democratic Republic of Congo's education ministry issued a directive on July 14, 2025, instructing all schools to cease the exclusion of pregnant girls from the upcoming academic year, beginning in September 1. The directive, signed by Alexis Yoka La Pulinangu, acting secretary general for national education, explicitly states that there is no justification for excluding pregnant girls unless they express a desire to leave school 1.
In response, the Catholic Church in the DRC has declared that this government directive does not apply to the country's more than 18,000 Catholic schools, which constitute approximately a quarter of the national education system 1. Fr. Emmanuel Bashiki, secretary of the episcopal commission for Christian education, asserted in a letter to Catholic school administrators that a pre-existing management agreement between the Church and the state, which emphasizes student morality and discipline, takes precedence 1. Msgr. Donatien Nshole, general secretary of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo, supported this stance, stating that the Church's policy is aimed at "enshrining discipline in schools" and maintaining "morals" 1.
The Catholic Church's policy suggests that pregnant students should transfer to state-run schools rather than remaining in Catholic institutions 1. Church leaders clarify that their position is not about "refusing" or "rejecting" students but about upholding the disciplinary and moral standards characteristic of their schools 1. They also noted that the directive was not sent to the national coordinator of Catholic conventioned schools, implying it was not intended for them 1.
The debate unfolds against a backdrop of significant educational and social challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo 1. Data from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics indicates that while 79% of Congolese girls complete primary education, only 51.4% achieve a full secondary education 1. This low educational attainment, particularly for girls, is partly attributed to high rates of child marriage and early childbearing 1. Furthermore, the country has endured frequent armed conflicts since its independence in 1960, with UN officials reporting systematic sexual violence against civilians by all parties involved in fighting in the east 1. Approximately half of the DRC's population of over 105 million identifies as Catholic 1.
Does the Church's role in education prioritize morality?
The Catholic Church's role in education prioritizes the holistic formation of the human person, which inherently includes moral development as a foundational element . This comprehensive approach aims to prepare individuals for their ultimate end and for their responsibilities within society .
Key aspects of the Church's educational priorities include:
In essence, while moral formation is a central and indispensable component, it is integrated within a broader vision of education that seeks to develop the individual fully, preparing them for both their eternal destiny and their earthly responsibilities .