The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in the closure of 2,594 schools due to violence, impacting over 1 million schoolchildren. The Education Ministry revealed that significant numbers of schools in North Kivu and South Kivu are shut down, compromising student safety amidst ongoing territorial conflicts led by the M23 rebel group, which has intensified its military operations since December.
The renewed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has grave implications for education, as over 1 million schoolchildren are directly affected by violence in the region. Authorities disclosed that 2,594 schools have been shut down due to the escalating hostilities, particularly in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The Education Ministry reported that 1,483 schools in North Kivu and 1,111 in South Kivu have ceased operations, severely disrupting the education of many children.
Safety concerns have made the resumption of school activities a significant challenge. Schools have been compromised by the presence of explosive devices, and many institutions have been either bombed or appropriated as military bases by armed factions. The ministry condemned the targeting of educational facilities, emphasizing that this warfare threatens the future of the nation.
The M23 rebel group has notably escalated its efforts to gain control in eastern Congo, capturing key provincial capitals such as Goma and Bukavu. This surge in violence has contributed to over 7,000 fatalities this year alone, according to Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka’s statements made to the UN Human Rights Council.
In summary, the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo poses a catastrophic threat to education, with significant school closures and the jeopardization of student safety. The violence has wrought extensive loss of life and disrupted the educational landscape profoundly, fostering a situation that undermines the future of countless children in the affected regions.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
