Article: In the heart of the province of Équateur, an initiative to guarantee access to education
The province of Équateur in the Democratic Republic of Congo faces many challenges in terms of access to education. However, it is a crucial issue to ensure a better future for the region’s children. It is in this context that the provincial Minister of the Interior, Chrispin Molia Mpuru, inaugurated the multi-sectoral free registration campaign for the 2023-2024 school year.
The aim of this ambitious campaign is to encourage all parents and guardians to enroll their children aged 5 to 11 in school. If historically, more boys accessed formal education, this initiative focuses on enrolling girls in school, thus seeking to reverse this trend.
However, despite the government’s efforts to make primary education free in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many barriers persist. Some children, rather than going to school, are forced to work on the streets to contribute to family income. These children sell fruit, cassava (Chikwang) or sachet water. Faced with this worrying reality, the authorities are now seeking help from civil society organizations to raise awareness among local communities of the importance of education.
In this initiative, Unicef plays an essential role. The organization has already carried out numerous actions in favor of education in Ecuador. It has contributed to the construction of more than 100 schools and provided 60 classrooms to beneficiaries. Additionally, 24 more classrooms are being constructed and 68 latrines have been installed in schools across the province. These actions are essential to create an environment favorable to the education and well-being of children.
Beyond school registration, the multi-sectoral campaign also integrates crucial family practices such as free vaccination of children under 5, civil registration of newborns and encouragement exclusive breastfeeding for up to six months. The goal is to improve the health and overall well-being of children in the province of Équateur.
In a region where education is synonymous with hope, this free registration campaign marks a significant step towards a better future for Equatorial Guinean youth. By working together, provincial authorities, UNICEF and civil society can overcome obstacles and provide all children in Équateur province with the chances they deserve for a better future.