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Students are unsure of when the will be able to go back to school
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GOMA - The reopening of schools in Goma this Monday lacked its usual atmosphere, with many institutions remaining eerily empty. While a handful of students attempted to return to class, the majority stayed home, unable to shake the fear and uncertainty gripping the region.
Zigashane Josue, a student at Lycée Kimbilio, expressed the prevailing sentiment: “We came to study, but we realize there aren’t enough students because they’re scared. Everyone is afraid.”
Despite calls from M23 rebels for schools to resume normal operations, the situation remains tense. In the schoolyards, silence has replaced the usual sounds of laughter and chatter. Desks sit empty, and teachers find themselves with little to do as only a few students have returned.
“Almost all the teachers are here, but the students are far too few. Out of 1,000 students, only 20 have shown up. It’s difficult to start activities with such a small number,” said Augustin Bazimaziki, Director of Studies at Lycée Kimbilio.
Teachers are also facing another pressing concern: delayed salaries. Jean Bosco Bahati, a teacher at Institut Ndahura, voiced the growing frustration: “Our salaries are at the bank. January has passed, and we still haven’t been paid. Now it’s February. We’re asking: will the authorities in Kinshasa pay us, or will the local authorities here in the city handle it?”
The disruption follows intense conflict in Goma, which fell into the hands of M23 rebels on January 27. The region has since witnessed violent clashes between the Congolese army and M23 fighters, allegedly backed by the Rwandan army. This ongoing violence has created an atmosphere of fear, not only affecting students but also damaging school infrastructure. In some cases, schools have been repurposed as shelters for displaced families, further complicating efforts to return to normalcy.
The combined challenges of insecurity, fear, and logistical difficulties leave many wondering when life in Goma will regain a sense of normality. For now, the reopening of schools stands as a stark reminder of the broader struggle facing the region—one marked by uncertainty and an inability to move forward.
Source: Africa News
