- In Brief
- In Depth
Children out of school in DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been engulfed by conflict for over a decade and remains one of the world’s worst and most forsaken humanitarian crises. As a result of military clashes within North Kivu over the past year, more than 405,000 people have been forcibly displaced from their homes. It is estimated that only about a third of the displaced population is seeking refuge within the IDP camps; the location of more than 200,000 people remains fluid as communities continue to be displaced by the threat of or actual waves of violence.
The effects of the conflict have been particularly devastating for children. They have been killed and injured during active conflict, separated from their families following displacement, abused and exploited sexually, physically and economically, and detained illegally under dangerous conditions. Reports indicate that all forces involved in the conflict recruit and use children under 18. When families are forced to flee, children must abandon their education for long periods of time and have no guarantee that they will be able to access education during their displacement or even after their return.
For children caught in war’s violent path, schooling and informal educational activities can play a critical role in helping them to recover emotionally. Schools can provide children affected by armed conflict with a much needed safe space.
What can the IRC do?
In recognition of the important role teachers play in promoting children’s well-being and learning, this project aims to increase the quality of education by strengthening teacher support and development in 40 schools in North Kivu, in Rutshuru territory.
The project will establish and/or strengthen existing mobile teaching teams, set up ongoing mentoring and offer support to deliver teacher-training programmes. This project is already being implemented in part by funding from another donor, but additional support would allow us to further expand the reach of the programme, particularly school safety planning and informal education activities for children currently not in school. Particular activities would include:
- Increasing community participation through the development of school action plans: outreach meetings on the importance of this will be held and training will be provided to school and community leaders on developing and implementing plans
- Strengthening teacher training and support: training will also be given to directors and government inspectors in 40 schools
- Increasing youth participation in education
- Providing essential literacy and life skills education to children not currently in school: support will be provided for community based trainers
- Promoting safe learning environments: IRC has a wider Healing Classrooms approach which aims to allow children traumatised by war and violence to learn at their own pace in a calm, safe environment
- Encouraging community support for teachers
The project will support 40 schools, approximately 440 teachers, and 15,000 children in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu and cost £40,000.*
Certain components of the current intervention began in December 2008 and further funding would expand programming through to August 2009. Education activities for children out of school could start in March 2009 and also run to August 2009.
* Including 10% support costs such as HR, finance and IT.
Please contact Stefanie Pfeil, Director of Development, on 020 7692 2735 or stefanie.pfeil(at)ircuk.org for more information.
