** Education in danger: the silent tragedy of the children of Kivu **
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) once again testifies to the cruelty of war, whose repercussions extend far beyond the battlefields. In the east of the country, the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu saw their educational tissue severely torn apart by hostilities of the M23, a rebellious movement supported by the Rwandan army. According to the Congolese government, more than 2,500 schools have been affected, affecting more than 1.4 million children, an alarming situation that the Minister of Education, Raïssa Mali, emphasizes without ambocury: “education must remain sacred”.
This statement, imprint of emotion, resonates as a cry of alarm in a reality where education, often perceived as a fundamental right, is systematically threatened. To better understand the severity of the situation, it is relevant to establish comparisons with other contexts prey to armed conflicts, such as Syria or Yemen, where education has also suffered disproportionately. In such situations, millions of children see their future compromised, not only by the absence of schools, but also by lasting psychological ruptures and trauma that can haunt them all their lives.
### A devastated panorama
The impact of education clashes is not only limited to the destruction of infrastructure. Schools, sanctuaries of knowledge and development, are transformed into shelters for displaced populations or barracks for armed groups. This phenomenon is not unique to the DRC, but the consequences are exacerbated by the high poverty rate in the country, already hampered by decades of political and economic instability. The contribution of education to economic recovery is well documented: each additional year of education could considerably embellish the prospects for future income for young people, which makes this situation even more tragic.
In addition, it is interesting to note that, according to data from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the rate of literacy in DRC, estimated at 77% for men and 66% for women, could be much higher if the learning conditions were favorable. Currently, studies believe that an entire generation of children could be lost due to conflicts, these children, who should be learning, develop trauma that will affect their ability to participate positively in society.
### A call to unity and emergency
However, the words of Minister Mali, although poignant, cannot be sufficient in themselves in the face of this crisis. It is imperative to consider a multi-actor approach to restore education in this region. This could involve bi-parties or alliances between the Congolese government and non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, as well as neighboring countries. The humanitarian financing mechanism must be strengthened, while dialogue with armed players should be envisaged to guarantee the safety of schools.
Education can also be thought in an innovative way. Given the difficulties of access to schools, solutions such as distance education should be developed, in particular by integrating technological infrastructure. But for this, it will be necessary to overcome the challenges linked to the internet infrastructure of the country, often limited. Only creative and inclusive solutions will make it possible to build a more solid educational future.
### Giving back hope
It is essential to recall that education remains a fundamental right, a development tool and a vector of peace. International efforts must focus on a sustainable approach which is not limited to short -term humanitarian aid, but which endeavors to rebuild the educational systems over time. The gaze of the world must be turned to the children of Kivu, because their future is the mirror of our collective humanity. Congolese children should not be defined by the violence they undergo, but by the dreams they have and that they have the right to achieve.
Echoing this tragedy, we must arouse collective conscience and plead for an international response that places children at the heart of concerns, because, in the end, the future of a nation is based on its children. The minister’s expression, “education must remain sacred”, must turn into collective commitment to guarantee that each child has access to quality education, even under the most opposing conditions.