Democratic Congo: closed schools and children deprived of education due to the escalation of violence

The organization stated in a press statement that the education system in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was suffering from tremendous pressure even before the recent escalation of the conflict, and this is partly due to the large number of displaced people. She explained that more than 6.5 million people, including 2.6 million children, are currently displaced in the region.

The violent conflict that erupted since the beginning of this year has caused the closure of more than 2,500 schools and educational place in northern Kivu and South Kivu, including those in the displacement camps.

The closure, damage, destruction, or conversion of schools has led to shelters, to deprive 795,000 children of education. More than 1.6 million children in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are now outside the walls of schools.

Jean -Francois Bass, the temporary representative of UNICEF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said: “Children go through a desperate situation. They need education and support systems that they provide – to maintain a sense of normal life, recovery and rebuilding after this conflict.”

Despite the reopening of schools in Guma on February 9, only a few students were returned to schools, where parents expressed their concerns that the security situation is still very dangerous.

Education is a stability tool in times of crisis

UNICEF asserts that schools play a decisive role in times of crisis in maintaining stability and providing safe spaces that protect children from possible recruitment by armed groups and sexual violence. Schools can also provide children with psychological trauma with the opportunity to obtain psychological and social support.

UNICEF stated that it supports the continuity of education in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by working with its partners to create temporary educational places and distribute school subjects along with cleaning and sanitation groups.

The organization indicated that it also explores the use of radio -based education and speedy learning programs to reach the most isolated and marginalized children. UNICEF will also lead awareness -raising programs for mines due to the presence of mine and non -explosive ammunition around Goma – including inside or close schools.

Jean Francois Pass said: “Over the past two years, we have invested extensively in learning structures in the displacement sites around Goma. But these sites are very empty now, and we are very worried that children who have been displaced again may never return to school.”

As part of its comprehensive humanitarian appeal, UNICEF seeks to obtain $ 52 million to meet the urgent educational needs of 480,000 children.