Back-to-School Season in DRC’s Eastern Region: A Tale of Hope and Heartbreak

The first week of September marks the beginning of the school year in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Across many parts of the country, this time of year is often characterized by the excitement of friendly reunions, the unveiling of new curricula, and the promise of another year of learning and growth. Yet, in the eastern region of the DRC, where armed conflict has become a grim norm, the back-to-school season is a stark reminder of shattered dreams and displaced hopes.

For over two years, the resurgence of the M23 rebel group has cast a shadow over the lives of countless families in North Kivu, forcing them to flee their homes and leaving them with no means to send their children to school. The ongoing violence has turned what should be a season of hope into a period of despair.

“This situation is so disheartening. I am sad because our children won’t go to school this year, and it was already the same last year. It hurts a lot,” says Sifa, an internally displaced mother. Her voice trembles with emotion as she reflects on the uncertain future her children face. For families like Sifa’s, the idea of education has become a distant dream, overshadowed by the immediate need for safety and survival.

In Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, the usually bustling central market sees only a few customers trickling in to buy school supplies. The economic impact of the conflict is painfully evident. At La Différence primary school, the first day of class was marked by empty seats and absent faces.

Teacher Deba Mubalama has witnessed the harsh reality of this situation firsthand. “In addition to war, other factors come into play as to why kids don’t go to school. For example, the fact that some parents are unemployed. All those who worked in the localities that have become war zones cannot work for now,” she explains. The war has not only displaced families but also decimated local economies, leaving many parents unable to afford even the most basic school supplies and uniforms.

Despite the DRC’s policy of free primary education in public schools, implemented in 2019, the hidden costs associated with schooling—such as supplies, uniforms, and transportation—remain a significant barrier for many families, especially in conflict-ridden regions. In North Kivu, the back-to-school season serves as a painful reminder of the widening gap between the promise of free education and the harsh reality faced by those living in the shadow of war.

For many in North Kivu, this time of year brings not the joy of new beginnings but the sorrow of unfulfilled dreams. The conflict has not only stolen their homes and livelihoods but also robbed their children of the opportunity to learn, grow, and hope for a better future.

As the rest of the country moves forward with the new school year, the people of eastern DRC are left to wonder when, or if, their children will ever have the chance to return to the classroom. In a region where war has become an inescapable part of daily life, the desire for education persists, even as the possibility of achieving it seems increasingly out of reach.