The province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo is plagued by growing insecurity which greatly hampers the education of children. The territories of Irumu, Mambasa and Djugu are strongly affected by the closure of numerous primary, secondary and technical schools within the Ituri 1 educational province.
According to statements by Jean-Jacques Masumbuko, provincial director of Epst Ituri 1, the renewed insecurity is behind the closure of more than 81 schools. These alarming figures were communicated during National Education Day, celebrated on April 30.
Meanwhile, more than 270 schools are in a state of disrepair in various villages, and some have been destroyed by natural events, contributing to a significant decline in the quality of education provided in the region.
The precarious security situation in the region deprives thousands of schoolchildren of their access to education in many localities in Irumu territory, shaken by the activism of local armed groups as well as the presence of Ugandan fighters from the Democratic Forces Allies (ADF).
This crisis not only affects the schooling of children, but it also has a major socio-economic impact on the local population. Indeed, education is an essential pillar of the development of individuals and communities, and its disruption seriously compromises the future prospects of younger generations.
Faced with this alarming situation, it is imperative that concrete measures are taken to ensure the safety of schools and guarantee access to education for all children in the region. Education is a fundamental right, and it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that it is preserved, even in times of conflict and insecurity.
It is therefore necessary to act quickly to put an end to the insecurity which hinders the right to education of the children of Ituri. Only concerted and sustained action will make it possible to guarantee a better future for these young people, by offering them the tools necessary to flourish and contribute to the development of their community.