Goma, October 26, 2024 – After several weeks of waiting and negotiations, a crucial decision has been made: the resumption of classes in public primary schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo is finally set for Monday, October 28. This announcement follows the suspension of the teachers’ strike, a movement that had paralyzed the education system since the beginning of the school year.
The General Assembly of Delegates decided to temporarily suspend the strike, thus giving the opportunity to all the steps taken by the National Union of Public Primary School Teachers (SYNEPP) to succeed. This suspension, initially lasting three months, will be followed by an evaluation in January 2025 to determine the next actions to be taken based on the teachers’ demands.
In a statement signed by the provincial president of SYNEPP/North Kivu, Sylvain Kikyo, and the vice-president Masemo Freddy, the delegates called on all teachers to resume classes on Monday. Parents are also encouraged to send their children to school within the usual time frame.
This decision marks a major step forward in the conflict between teachers and education authorities. Since the beginning of the school year, primary school teachers in public schools had stopped teaching, demanding an improvement in their working conditions, particularly with regard to salaries and administrative issues.
In addition, teachers in Catholic schools are also invited to resume school activities from Monday, in accordance with the letter from the coordination of Catholic schools.
This announcement of the resumption of classes is welcomed with relief by many education stakeholders in the DRC. It suggests a return to normal in public primary schools, allowing students to continue their learning in more stable conditions conducive to their success.
In conclusion, the suspension of the teachers’ strike and the resumption of classes mark an important step in resolving the conflict that has paralyzed the education system in the DRC. This decision opens the way for constructive discussions and the search for lasting solutions to address the legitimate concerns of teachers, while ensuring the quality of education for students.