The reopening of schools in Goma this Monday was a somber affair, with many schools remaining eerily empty. While a few students made an effort to return to class, the majority stayed home, gripped by fear and uncertainty that pervades the region.

Zigashane Josue, a student at Lycée Kimbilio, captured the prevailing sentiment: “We came to study, but we realize there aren’t enough students because they’re scared. Everyone is afraid.”

Despite a call from the M23 rebels for schools to resume normal operations, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty. Schoolyards that once echoed with laughter and chatter now lie silent. Desks sit empty, and teachers find themselves with little to do as only a handful of students have returned.

“Almost all the teachers are here, but the students are far too few. Out of 1,000 students, only 20 have shown up. It’s difficult to start activities with such a small number,” said Augustin Bazimaziki, Director of Studies at Lycée Kimbilio.

Adding to the teachers’ stress is the issue of delayed salaries. Jean Bosco Bahati, a teacher at Institut Ndahura, voiced the frustration felt by many: “We have our salaries at the bank. January has passed, and we still haven’t received our pay. Now it’s February. We’re asking: will the authorities in Kinshasa pay us, or will the local authorities here in the city pay us?”

The disruption follows intense conflict in Goma, which fell to M23 rebels on January 27. The region has since been plagued by violent clashes between the Congolese army and M23 fighters, allegedly supported by the Rwandan army. This ongoing violence has created an atmosphere of fear that affects not only students but also damages school infrastructure. In some cases, schools have been used as refuge centers for displaced families, further complicating efforts to return to normality.

The combined challenges of insecurity, fear, and logistical difficulties have left many questioning when life in Goma will return to routine. For now, the reopening of schools remains a symbol of the larger struggle facing the region—one marked by uncertainty and an inability to move forward.

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