School supplies are not very popular on the markets of Goma in North Kivu, just a few weeks before the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Unlike previous years, when parents jostled at vendors, this year seems marked by some uncertainty.
The worrying security situation in the region is one of the reasons put forward by numerous testimonies collected. Indeed, the presence of many displaced people in the city of Goma, fleeing the violence perpetrated by the M23 terrorists supported by Rwanda, has led to the occupation of many classrooms by these displaced populations. This situation compromises the opening of schools and raises doubts as to the effective completion of the school year.
Additionally, some parents and shopkeepers are expressing concern that many state agents and officials are not being paid. This situation of non-payment leads to a reduction in the purchasing power of parents who therefore do not have the necessary resources to buy school supplies. The sellers themselves deplore this difficult situation and call for state agents to be paid in order to stimulate the local economy.
Despite these hurdles, some vendors remain hopeful of an influx of customers as the new school year approaches. Registrations in some schools have already started and customers are starting to flow in little by little. They therefore hope for a larger influx in the coming days. However, it is undeniable that sales are down compared to previous years, due to the difficult period that the region is going through.
Another explanation put forward to explain the lack of enthusiasm is the depreciation of the Congolese franc against the US dollar. This situation leads to an increase in the price of school supplies and makes it more difficult to buy these items for families who are already suffering from a lack of cash.
It is important to remember that the start of the school year is scheduled for September 4, according to the calendar of the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST).
In conclusion, the start of the school year in Goma in North Kivu is marked by a lack of enthusiasm for the purchase of school supplies. The worrying security situation, the non-payment of civil servants and the depreciation of the local currency are all factors that explain this difficult situation. Vendors are still hoping for a larger influx in the coming days, but the actual completion of the school year remains uncertain in this region