Approximately 375,000 children in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province are deprived of education due to ongoing conflict, according to Save the Children.
The charity reports that about 17 percent of schools are closed in the region, where Rwanda-backed M23 fighters have seized significant territory since 2021.
This disruption leaves children vulnerable to violence and recruitment by armed groups.
“The situation is catastrophic,” stated Greg Ramm, Save the Children’s DRC director.
The conflict has severely impacted school attendance, with 775 schools now closed, many converted into shelters for displaced families.
The surge in violence, including the M23’s recent advances toward Goma and Bukavu, has exacerbated the crisis.
The charity warns that children out of school face increased risks of sexual violence and exposure to explosive remnants of war.
The absence of education not only denies children their fundamental rights but also threatens the future of the nation.
