North Kivu Children's Parliament Urges Talks to Avert Teacher Strike

Children in North Kivu's Parliament are calling on the Congolese government to urgently negotiate with teachers' unions. They aim to prevent a strike that could disrupt the upcoming school year in Butembo and Lubero territory. The organization fears another paralysis of school activities due to recurring salary demands from teachers.

Past school years in Butembo and Lubero have frequently been marked by strikes at the start of classes. Teachers are demanding consistent salary payments and better state support. The Children's Parliament believes these demands must be addressed before classes resume to ensure students are not once again denied education.

Reagan Bangahe, a child rights defender, urged the Ministry of National Education and the provincial division to use the pre-school period for consultations with teachers. He stressed that the right to education must be guaranteed for all children, regardless of their background, including those displaced by war or living with disabilities. The Parliament believes that early negotiations between authorities and teacher representatives can avert strikes and maintain educational continuity.

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the access to education must be guaranteed to all children, without distinction, notably girls, boys, children displaced by war and those living with a disability.