Back to school 2020-2021

KINSHASA, 12 October 2020 - After more than six months at home, millions of primary and secondary school students went back to school on Monday 12 October 2020 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite the exceptional context of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

In order to ensure a safe and protective environment for students, the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST) has put in place a number of measures to reduce the risk of contamination including hand washing, compulsory wearing of masks and taking temperatures in schools.

In anticipation of the planned reopening of schools, the Ministry of EPST and its partners, including UNICEF, provided schools with materials, including masks, soap, hand washing devices, thermometers, posters and leaflets. These materials were provided as part of the sub-sectoral strategy for an educational response to COVID-19 in schools. This strategy put in place mechanisms to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools, and to ensure that students and staff who might have been exposed to the virus are not stigmatized.

While schools were closed, the Ministry of EPST had a nation-wide distance learning programme through radio and television in place. More than 7 million Congolese children were able to continue learning despite the school closures through educational programmes on the radio, workbooks and other learning tools. Nearly 450,000 exercise books have been distributed, including to those living in remote areas of the country.

Thanks to the support of the Global Partnership for Education and other donors, UNICEF continues to support the Government of DRC in sensitizing parents for a massive return of children to school and the effective resumption of classes, while respecting COVID-19 prevention measures.