197.1814 ecoles kasongo lunda ok
    DR Congo, Education

    Better education for children in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Project Number: 197.1814

    In the Democratic Republic of Congo, churches and aid organizations make a significant contribution to children's schooling. The partner church CEK looks after over 200 primary and secondary schools in several poverty-stricken districts of the capital Kinshasa and in hard-to-reach regions of the Kwango province for about 37,000 children. Although the state has been trying to pay the salaries of teaching staff in elementary school in full and in secondary schools in part since the 2019/2020 school year, it is not paying for the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure. The state also does not pay for further training of specialists, and so teaching staff teach at a basic level and without bringing in current topics. The project aims to improve the quality of educational institutions by improving infrastructure, training teaching staff and raising awareness of important issues.

    Background information

    The education system in the DR Congo is in a poor state. The quality of education has declined in recent decades, and it is said that the last generation to enjoy a more or less good education was born in the 1960s. While educational opportunities are still somewhat higher in Kinshasa (92 % of children in Kinshasa attend elementary school and 55.6 % attend secondary school), access to education for children in Kwango province is not easy. In addition to the low primary school enrollment rate (67.6 %), the poor quality of schools and frequent dropouts often due to lack of resources results in a very low secondary school enrollment rate (25.9 %). School infrastructure is in extremely poor condition both in the slums of Kinshasa and in Kwango province in general. Poor and insufficient school desks and worn blackboards, as well as the lack of sufficient teaching and instructional materials, do not promote learning.

    Project goals

    The project aims to open the way to a better future for 37,000 children a year in the poor neighborhoods of Kinshasa and in the hard-to-reach regions of Kwango Province thanks to primary education. Since the state hardly provides infrastructure, further training for teaching staff and awareness-raising on current issues, this is guaranteed by the project.

    Target group

    The target group includes the students of the 158 kindergartens, primary and secondary schools of the CEK as well as their teachers. The vast majority of the students come from families that are affected by great poverty.

    Activities

    • The focus of the school project is to ensure regular school lessons.
    • Improving school infrastructure: replacing dilapidated schools, building hygienic school toilets, etc.
    • The school communities (teachers, students and parents) accompanied by the project team manage small projects such as school gardens and small livestock breeding in order to generate a small income for the maintenance of the school infrastructure.
    • Teachers receive further training to improve the quality of their teaching.
    • Raising awareness among girls and boys about gender-based violence, hygiene, and human rights.
    • Scholarships for children from the poorest families.

    Project progress

    In total, the school project accompanies almost 37,000 students per year in the CEK schools. The Lunda secondary school was completed and opened in May 2022. School classes have started.

    80 hand washing units and hand sanitizers were purchased and distributed to ten elementary school to ensure continued important hygiene standards.

    In cooperation with the agricultural project, school gardens could be established at two schools of the partner church of the CEK in order to sensitize students and to produce food for the local population at the same time. In addition, animals were purchased which are used for livestock breeding.

    Map

    DR Congo

    • 92 million inhabitants
    • 4.5 years of average school attendance, taking into account the actual knowledge acquired (learning-adjusted years of school)
    • 33% of the population cannot read and write

    Project budget 2024

    CHF 57'500

    mg 8652

    Vera Schaffer

    Program Manager DR Congo
    â–º E-mail

    jacqueline

    Jacqueline Brunner

    Responsible Church Partnerships

    Tel. 061 260 23 37
    â–º E-mail

    Hope thanks to your support

    Mission 21
    Protestant Mission Basel

    PO Box 270
    Missionsstrasse 21
    4009 Basel, Switzerland
    Tel.: +41 (0)61 260 21 20
    info@mission-21.org

    Donation account Switzerland:
    IBAN: CH58 0900 0000 4072 6233 2
    Tax exemption number:
    CHE-105.706.527

    Donation account Germany:
    Savings Bank Lörrach-Rheinfelden
    Swift BIC: SKLODE66
    BLZ: 683 500 48
    IBAN: DE39 6835 0048 0001 0323 33
    Account No. : 1032333

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