The escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced the closure of 2,594 schools, impacting the education of more than 1.1 million children, according to a government statement issued by the Education Ministry on Wednesday.
The ministry reported that 1,483 schools have been shut down in North Kivu province and an additional 1,111 in South Kivu. “The resumption of school activities has been difficult, with the safety of students and teachers compromised due to explosive devices in certain schools,” the statement said. It noted that many institutions have been bombed, destroyed, or even repurposed as military bases by armed groups. In a particularly stark illustration of the crisis, one school was reportedly turned into a cemetery, underscoring the profound impact of the conflict on the nation’s future.
The deteriorating security situation follows an intensified offensive by M23 rebels, who have significantly expanded their territorial control in eastern Congo since December, including the capture of key provincial capitals such as Goma and Bukavu. The ongoing conflict has already claimed over 7,000 lives this year, as stated by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka during her address at the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
As the fighting continues, the closure of schools and the widespread presence of explosive hazards raise serious concerns about the long-term impact on education and the well-being of the region's children. Government officials and humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent measures to secure educational facilities and ensure the safe resumption of schooling in conflict-affected areas.
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Gunfire shook Goma overnight as fighting flared between M23 rebels and pro-government forces.
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The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi is considering a sit-down with Rwanda backed armed group M23.
The International Criminal Court is appealing for armed groups in eastern Congo to abide by international law. It's after fighting has spread in the mineral-rich region as the M23 rebels continue to capture key cities, intensifying the conflict and humanitarian crisis.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that trade talks with China are underway, pushing back against Beijing’s claim that no consultations have occurred.
South Korea’s data protection authority said Thursday that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek transferred user information and prompt content abroad without user consent during its initial launch in the country.
The United States is preparing to offer over $100 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, according to six sources familiar with the matter. The package is expected to be announced during President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May.
A 15-year-old boy killed a fellow pupil and wounded three others in a stabbing attack at a high school in the western French city of Nantes on Thursday before he was overpowered by teachers, police said.
“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
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Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that trade talks with China are underway, pushing back against Beijing’s claim that no consultations have occurred.
South Korea’s data protection authority said Thursday that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek transferred user information and prompt content abroad without user consent during its initial launch in the country.
The United States is preparing to offer over $100 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, according to six sources familiar with the matter. The package is expected to be announced during President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May.
A 15-year-old boy killed a fellow pupil and wounded three others in a stabbing attack at a high school in the western French city of Nantes on Thursday before he was overpowered by teachers, police said.
“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that trade talks with China are underway, pushing back against Beijing’s claim that no consultations have occurred.
South Korea’s data protection authority said Thursday that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek transferred user information and prompt content abroad without user consent during its initial launch in the country.
The United States is preparing to offer over $100 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, according to six sources familiar with the matter. The package is expected to be announced during President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May.
A 15-year-old boy killed a fellow pupil and wounded three others in a stabbing attack at a high school in the western French city of Nantes on Thursday before he was overpowered by teachers, police said.
“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
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