Vukana Primary School in Kikwit Congo
The current situation of primary and secondary schools in the city of Kikwit, in the province of Kwilu, raises crucial questions regarding the education and future of young students. While some Catholic schools have resumed their activities almost normally, other public institutions are facing serious problems that compromise access to education for many children.
The absence of teachers and students in some state-funded schools is worrying. School principals testify to the difficulty in ensuring the proper functioning of the school due to the massive absenteeism of key education stakeholders. Without teachers to teach classes and without students to follow them, these schools find themselves in an educational impasse that seriously harms the transmission of knowledge.
However, in schools such as the Sadisana Institute, the ITPK or the Mother Joséphine Institute, school life is returning to normal. Teachers are present and students are attending classes, providing an environment conducive to learning and the growth of young learners.
The division within the teachers’ unions adds further complexity to this already critical situation. While some factions are calling for strikes to claim their rights, others are urging teachers to return to classes, creating confusion that is undermining the cohesion of the union movement.
Urgent solutions are essential to ensure access to quality education for all children in Kikwit. Local authorities and education leaders must work together to address the structural issues that are hampering the proper functioning of public schools. The future of the younger generations, social stability and the development of the region are at stake.
It is time to act to restore educational balance and provide all children in Kikwit with the opportunity to thrive through learning and knowledge. Vukana Primary School represents a symbolic example of these challenges, but also an opportunity to advance education in the region.