The start of the school year is a crucial moment in the lives of students and teachers. It is a time to return to school, reconnect with knowledge and immerse yourself in new subjects. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the start of the school year in 2024 was marked by important issues and challenges to be met.
In the Haut-Uele province, the start of the school year was marked by a mixed atmosphere. Indeed, despite calls for a strike launched by teachers’ unions, Governor Jean Bakomito mobilized to encourage parents to send their children to school. During his visit to some schools in Isiro, such as the Isiro Institute and the Les Petits Anges school complex, he was able to note the low attendance of students. However, he stressed the importance of resuming classes and motivated teachers and students to continue their efforts for a successful school year.
The situation is particularly delicate due to the ongoing negotiations between the union bench and the Congolese government regarding the improvement of teachers’ salary conditions. The discussions focus in particular on the establishment of a salary scale of $500 for a teacher in public schools. This crucial issue directly influences the dynamics of the start of the school year and highlights the importance of the social and economic issues related to education in the DRC.
Faced with this complex context, it is essential to find sustainable solutions to guarantee quality education for all Congolese children. The start of the school year is a key moment to lay the foundations for a successful year of learning and to encourage the educational community to work together for the advancement of education in the DRC.
In conclusion, the start of the school year in the DRC in 2024 reflects the social and economic challenges facing the country. It highlights the importance of education as a lever for development and underlines the need to invest in the education sector to ensure a better future for Congolese youth.