Fatshimetrie
A palpable tension reigned in the peaceful city of Kasangulu on Monday, September 30, 2024. The usually peaceful streets were transformed into the scene of an unexpected demonstration. Indeed, a large group of students, from various public schools, gathered to express their discontent with the prolonged teachers’ strike that has paralyzed school activities for almost a month.
The students’ demand was clear: they wanted to resume classes, return to the classrooms and continue their education. But the teachers’ strike, motivated by legitimate demands for the improvement of their living conditions, represented a major obstacle to achieving this objective.
In a symbolic gesture of protest, the young demonstrators lit tire fires, creating improvised roadblocks that disrupted traffic and drew the attention of the authorities to their cause. The streets once animated by the hurried steps of students were now the scene of a silent struggle for the right to quality education.
This delicate situation highlights the challenges facing the Congolese education system. While students aspire to acquire knowledge and build a better future for themselves, teachers, who are responsible for transmitting this knowledge, often find themselves forced to fight for decent working conditions.
Ultimately, this demonstration in Kasangulu illustrates the crucial importance of maintaining an open and constructive dialogue between all stakeholders in the education system. It is essential to work together to guarantee every child the fundamental right to a quality education, while respecting and valuing the teachers who shape the minds of tomorrow.
Thus, on this eventful day in Kasangulu, the voices of students were raised to demand their right to education, highlighting the major issues underlying the functioning of public schools in Congo. Let us hope that this mobilization will serve as a catalyst for positive and lasting changes, so that every child can build their future on solid and informed foundations.