Education Reforms Announced Following Council of Ministers Meeting
Following the latest Council of Ministers meeting, the government has presented a set of education reforms aimed at modernizing schooling in the Republic of Congo starting from the next academic year. Officials have framed these changes as a way to strengthen learning outcomes from the outset while reducing the pressure associated with national exams.
For families in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and across the departments, the measures could quickly become visible in classrooms, report cards, and enrollment procedures. The reform package focuses on three key areas: the end of the CEPE as an exam, a shorter primary cycle, and a reinforced focus on preschool.
The CEPE Replaced by the CEP, Which is No Longer a State Exam
The first change is both symbolic and practical: the *Certificat d’Études Primaires Élémentaires* (CEPE) will be abolished and replaced by the CEP, the *Certificat d’Études Primaires*. The terminology is important as it comes with a different validation method.
Under the announced reform, the CEP will no longer be obtained via a state examination. Instead, students will be validated through continuous assessment, meaning their work throughout the year will become the primary reference for certification.
Education stakeholders believe this change could reduce anxiety for young students and refocus attention on the daily mastery of reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. For teachers, it also increases the responsibility to regularly document progress, as the certificate will reflect classroom evaluation rather than a single exam date.
The government’s stated intention is to value consistent effort and encourage regular learning habits. In practice, this will likely require clear guidelines so parents understand how results are produced and how schools apply common standards, especially where class sizes and resources differ.
Primary School Shortened to Five Years with the Merger of CP
The second reform restructures the length of the primary cycle. The government announced the merger of CP1 and CP2 into a single class called CP, or *Cours Préparatoire*. With this consolidation, the total duration of primary school is reduced from six to five years.
Proponents of this measure see the change as an attempt to optimize the academic path and avoid repetition of similar content between the early years. By tightening the cycle, policymakers seem to be aiming for more efficient progression, with children reaching the end of primary school earlier within a standardized framework.
This adjustment will be closely watched in schools where learning in the early grades is already a challenge. The success of a merged CP class depends on well-adapted teaching methods, adequate materials, and clear expectations for what students must acquire at each stage.
For households, a five-year primary cycle could reshape planning regarding uniforms, fees, and transitions to the next level. It also underscores that the reform is not just administrative: it changes the pace of children’s schooling, particularly during the foundational years.
Third Year of Preschool Becomes Mandatory as the New Norm
The third measure makes preschool a priority. The government announced that the third year of preschool will become mandatory for all children, thereby strengthening early schooling as a standard step before entering primary education.
Officials have presented this requirement as crucial preparation for primary school, aiming to ensure children arrive better equipped with basic learning readiness. For many families, the new rule could also formalize practices already common in urban areas, while pushing for broader nationwide coverage.
As implementation proceeds, attention will likely focus on classroom capacity, staffing, and access, particularly outside major cities. Making a year mandatory involves not only a policy decision but also the capacity to accommodate every affected child in appropriate learning conditions.
What These Reforms Mean for Families and Schools Next Year
Taken together, the reforms outline a strategy to modernize the system and reduce the weight of high-stakes exams from the earliest levels. The continuous assessment for the new CEP is designed to make evaluation more regular, while the shorter primary cycle and mandatory preschool year aim to strengthen the beginning of the learning journey.
The next academic year will therefore be a period of transition for schools, teachers, and parents, who will need clear communication on procedures and expectations. For students, the government’s message is that academic success should be built step by step, with greater importance placed on regular classroom work.