Back to School: How to Ensure an Effective, Peaceful, and Inclusive Return?

As the school year approaches in the Democratic Republic of Congo, parents are grappling with the mounting costs and logistical challenges of preparing their children for a smooth return to the classroom. With just two weeks left before students resume their studies after a two-month break, families are scrambling to gather essential items like uniforms, notebooks, and school bags.

The demands from some private schools have become particularly burdensome. These institutions are requiring parents to pay confirmation fees and purchase a wide array of supplies, including duplicating paper, toilet paper, liquid soap, and cleaning products. Furthermore, parents are compelled to buy textbooks, gym attire, and other necessities exclusively from the schools themselves, often at prices significantly higher than market rates.

Adding to the uncertainty, threats of strikes by some teacher unions loom over the upcoming school reopening. The unions are demanding responses from the government to their grievances, raising concerns that these industrial actions could disrupt the academic calendar. This situation prompts a critical question: how can all children be ensured a peaceful, effective, and inclusive start to their school year?

Serge Bondedi Eleyi, Secretary-General of the ASBL YMAE and Coordinator of the "Ecole Eza Mombongo te" campaign, discussed these challenges with Jody Daniel Nkashama, highlighting the need for solutions that address both the financial strain on families and the potential labor disputes that could impact the education system.