Fatshimetrie, a look at the American commitment to education in the Democratic Republic of Congo
For several years, the United States of America has renewed its commitment to the education system of the Democratic Republic of Congo, demonstrating its willingness to support the priorities of the sector and to support security in the eastern region of the country. This commitment has been demonstrated through various actions and partnerships aimed at improving access to education and strengthening the resilience of Congolese youth.
During a recent meeting between Ms. Lucy Tamlyn, Ambassador of the United States to the DRC, and Raïssa Malu, Minister of National Education, many topics were discussed, highlighting the challenges facing the Congolese education system. In particular, emphasis was placed on the worrying situation in the east of the country, where the national army is facing terrorist groups, such as the Rwandan-backed M23, endangering the lives and education of thousands of Congolese children.
The American diplomat expressed the deep concern of the United States about this situation and reaffirmed her country’s commitment to supporting the DRC in the search for lasting solutions to armed conflicts, including through support for the Luanda peace process. Since 2019, the United States, through USAID, has allocated significant funds to improve access to education and strengthen the resilience of young people and school environments.
This partnership between the United States and the DRC has enabled the implementation of various projects aimed at supporting the most vulnerable populations in the provinces of Equateur, Kinshasa, South Kivu, North Kivu, Kasai Central and Haut-Katanga. Concrete actions have been undertaken, such as the training of teachers and inspectors, as well as support for basic education for children in emergency situations, through the distribution of school supplies and improved reading and mathematics courses in the classroom.
The United States’ commitment to education in the DRC illustrates not only its desire to promote access to quality education for all, but also its contribution to the stability and development of the country. This fruitful cooperation between the two countries demonstrates the importance of international solidarity in resolving the educational and security challenges facing the DRC.