Fatshimetrie, October 7, 2024 – A wave of hope swept the streets of Matadi, Kongo Central, as public school students demonstrated peacefully to demand the resumption of classes. The youth mobilization echoed the concerns of the local education community and attracted the attention of municipal and provincial authorities.
The situation took a positive turn when a meeting between the city’s mayor and members of the governor’s cabinet resulted in a favorable response. Students were informed of the end of the strike and the resumption of school activities from October 7. Schools that had already reopened served as an example to encourage others to follow suit.
The young people, aware of the importance of education for their future, spoke out in favor of the definitive resolution of the problems encountered. They expressed their satisfaction after speaking with the authorities, who committed to guaranteeing their right to education. The Mayor of Matadi, Dominique Nkodia Mbete, promised to report the situation to the provincial authority in order to respond to the demands of the students in the region.
This mobilization of students, symbolized by a sit-in in front of the Matadi city hall, demonstrates their determination to access education. The authorities highlighted the efforts made at the provincial level to resolve the situation, including by sending representatives to Kinshasa to defend the interests of the students and demand the resumption of classes.
Ultimately, this day of mobilization illustrated the desire of young people to assert their rights and actively engage in building a better future. The commitment of local and provincial authorities to respond to the educational aspirations of the youth of Matadi paves the way for constructive dialogue and the promotion of education as a pillar of sustainable development in the region.