This article details the meaningful challenges facing teachers and education inspectors in the North Kivu province of the democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the 2025-2026 school year approaches. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues:
Unpaid Teachers: Teachers, especially in Masisi and Rutshuru, haven’t received their wages. This prevents them from affording school supplies for their own children, creating a deeply unfair and demoralizing situation. The article powerfully highlights the irony of teachers, as state officials, being unable to meet basic needs for their families.
Caritas & Payment Issues: Teachers are relying on caritas (a Catholic charity) for payment, but this system is failing. The unions are urging the goverment to intervene and ensure Caritas fulfills its obligations.
Inspectors‘ Premiums: Education inspectors are also facing financial hardship. They haven’t received full payment for premiums related to national certification test surveillance, including service bonuses, special function premiums, and roaming premiums. These premiums are crucial for them to safely and effectively perform their duties, especially in remote and dangerous areas.
Insecurity & Access: The ongoing conflict wiht the AFC/m23 rebels in North Kivu is exacerbating the problem. The occupation of areas around Goma has disrupted banking activities, making it even harder to pay teachers and civil servants. Inspectors face danger and logistical difficulties traveling to remote areas. Government promises Unfulfilled: The Minister of Education promised in March to cover unpaid teacher salaries, but almost six months later, no action has been taken.While the Minister has met with union leaders, the unions remain skeptical and expectations on the ground are high.
Threat to School Year: Both teachers and inspectors are threatening to disrupt the start of the school year if their financial concerns aren’t addressed. inspectors specifically state there will be “no real school year” without payment of their premiums.
In essence, the article paints a picture of a broken system where dedicated educators are struggling to survive, let alone provide quality education, due to a combination of financial mismanagement, conflict, and unfulfilled government promises. The situation is dire and threatens the future of education in a region already facing immense challenges.
