Fatshimetrie, October 14, 2024 – The teachers’ strike in Boma, Kongo-Central, Democratic Republic of Congo, continues to make waves as teachers remain firm in their demands despite calls for a return to normalcy by education authorities.
On Monday morning, during supervision rounds, it was noted that few students were present at school, while teachers were outside their classrooms, showing no signs of wanting to resume classes. Students, for their part, were simply waiting for the order from their teachers to know whether the strike would continue or not, and this until satisfactory answers to their demands were obtained. In some schools, teachers have refused to teach, not because they are unwilling, but because they fear reprisals from school authorities, as reported by Mr. Massampu Kenge Alphonse, head of general services of the urban subdivision of National Education and New Citizenship.
This strike situation is beginning to raise concerns among parents in Boma, who fear that their children will fall behind in their school curriculum for the current year.
The persistence of this social movement highlights the deep problems faced by teachers in their struggle for better working conditions and greater recognition of their essential profession. Education authorities must now find sustainable solutions to meet the legitimate expectations of the teaching profession and ensure quality education for the younger generations of Congolese.
This strike also reveals the shortcomings of the current education system and underlines the need for in-depth reform to guarantee quality and equitable education for all students in the country.
In conclusion, the teachers’ strike in Boma is much more than a simple social movement; it highlights the structural challenges of the Congolese education system and calls for deep reflection on the means to be put in place to offer teachers the working conditions necessary for the development of their students and the development of the country as a whole.