Ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has severely impacted education. More than 2,500 schools have been damaged or occupied, affecting over one million students, a senior official said Tuesday.
Raissa Malu, the state minister for national education, stated that the conflict in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces had left many schools unusable. Some have become shelters for displaced families, while others have been repurposed for non-educational activities.
“We regret to report that one school was allegedly used as a cemetery,” Malu said. “In other cases, blackboards were destroyed, benches were burned for firewood, and even latrine doors were removed.”
Despite diplomatic and military efforts, fighting between M23 rebels and government forces continues. The rebels now control key areas, including Goma and Bukavu. Last Friday, they appointed a “governor” for South Kivu, following the creation of a parallel administration in North Kivu in mid-February.
The humanitarian crisis is worsening. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), around 414,000 people have fled their homes in the past four weeks. Many were in displacement camps but were ordered by M23 to return to their hometowns, raising safety concerns.
As the situation deteriorates, aid agencies are calling for urgent intervention. They stress the need to protect civilians, especially children, who are among the most vulnerable in the conflict.