** School in danger: Goma faced with a crisis of access to education **
In the morning of Monday, February 10, the city of Goma, chief town of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, woke up in a climate of uncertainty which weighs heavily on the future of the young generations. Despite repeated calls from school authorities to encourage parents to send their children to school, classrooms have remained desperately empty. What could be considered as a simple absence of students in private and public schools actually hides a deep educational crisis, exacerbated by sustainable security tensions.
The figures speak for themselves: in a school in the Notre Dame d’Afrique parish, out of a total of 800 students, only five dared to make the trip to the classroom. This phenomenon is far from isolated; In several schools in the capital, the absence of students was particularly striking. Parents, worried about the safety of their children, deliberately choose to keep them at home rather than risk their lives in a precarious situation.
To understand the depth of this crisis, it is crucial to take into account the historical and socio-economic context of the region. For decades, North Kivu has been the scene of armed conflicts, making the lives of its inhabitants constantly unstable. Recent clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group have once again rekindled fear among parents. A report from the Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA) estimates that more than 5.5 million people have already been moved to the country, and Goma is a sad reflection.
This issue is not only a question of access to education, but it is at the crossroads of several issues: safety, well-being of children, and the ability of the education system to operate under pressure. The current situation is all the more alarming as school infrastructure is not only underused, but also often degraded and occupied by military families. This raises a crucial question: how can we consider a return to normal in an environment where security is constantly questioned?
The chief of education division in Goma, announcing the holding of a meeting to discuss the situation, shows a desire for action. However, for this approach to be fruitful, a number of measures must be taken. For example, it is essential to involve parents and communities in the decision -making process in order to restore their confidence in school authorities. In addition, establishing partnerships with NGOs offering emergency education programs could also play a key role in ensuring a certain educational continuity.
Now compare this situation to other regions affected by similar crises. In Afghanistan, for example, despite the complexity of the security situation, assertive efforts have been made to maintain access to education, by setting up mobile classes and involving local actors. These solutions could inspire policies to consider in Goma.
However, the question exceeds that of immediate solutions. The consequences of this educational crisis will be felt in the long term. A generation of children whose education is compromised will run the risk of increased marginalization, a loss of skills and potential social anarchy. Beyond the emergency, a long-term strategy is essential to prepare these young people to meet future challenges and, possibly, to contribute to the peace and stability of their own region.
In a world that is increasingly trying to promote the right to education as a foundation of peace and prosperity, the situation in Goma cannot be ignored. While the authorities and parents meet at a decisive crossroads, it is imperative that the choices made today have the priority of the security and education of children. Not acting is equivalent to digging an insurmountable gap for future generations, a responsibility that everyone, within this community, must carry with as much prudence as determination.
Thus, Goma is not only a reflection of educational failure; It’s a call for action. A call to rethink priorities, to transform fear into hope, and to build together a better future for children who represent the hope of the region.