The education of children displaced by war around the city of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a crucial issue that the authorities and humanitarian organizations must absolutely take into account. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 137,300 school-age children living in the displacement sites do not have access to education. This situation is more than worrying, it is alarming.
These children, who fled the clashes between the Armed Forces of the DRC and the M23 rebels, find themselves deprived of education, which is nevertheless a fundamental right. Among the many obstacles to access to education for these children, we find the financial inability of parents to cover school fees, the lack of food programs at school, overcrowded classes, as well as the difficulties of caring for teachers, themselves often displaced.
To remedy this emergency situation, local authorities and humanitarian organizations must act quickly. The construction of 2,737 temporary learning spaces (ETA) is an urgent necessity. It is also crucial to mobilize available teachers in the region to supervise these children in minimum learning conditions. Every child has the right to education, even in times of crisis.
The school year in the Democratic Republic of Congo officially began on September 2, but many public schools remain closed due to the teachers’ strike demanding better salary conditions from the government. This strike further aggravates the situation of displaced children who already face many difficulties in accessing education.
It is imperative that the Congolese authorities, in collaboration with international organizations, put in place emergency measures to guarantee access to education for all these children displaced by war. Education is the real lever for development and reconstruction in conflict-affected areas. It is our duty as a society to ensure that all children can exercise their right to education, regardless of their circumstances.