Over 500 Congolese students have crossed into Uganda in search of education in various schools within the Kisoro district. This migration has been prompted by the persistent conflict between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which began in March 2022.

The instability resulting from this conflict has driven tens of thousands of people, including children, to seek refuge in Uganda. Congolese students now believe it is safer to study in Uganda and this is the report.

Our reporter arrived at the Bunagana border at 7:00 AM, where he observed students carrying backpacks, making the journey from DRC into Uganda to access nearby schools. Notably, Bunagana Primary School, located near the Ugandan border, is one of the institutions where some Congolese students are pursuing their education.

According to Congolese students who have been studying in Uganda since 2022, Ugandan schools have proven favorable for their educational needs since the conflict began.

However, they face challenges related to the long trek from Congo to Uganda, occasional border closures, and the language barrier. In Congo, they were accustomed to studying in French, while in Uganda, English is the medium of instruction, which has posed academic difficulties.

Bigira Godfrey, the headmaster of Bunagana Primary School, revealed that over 100 Congolese pupils enroll in the school every day. He noted that the Congolese students struggle with English, as they are accustomed to Lingala and Kiswahili languages, resulting in lower academic performance. To address this, the school has established special remedial classes to improve the student's English proficiency and overall academic performance.

Bigira also mentioned that the Congolese pupils sometimes delay returning for afternoon sessions after crossing back into Congo for lunch.

Uwimana Esther, a teacher at Bunagana Primary School, pointed out that the school teaches both Ugandan and Congolese children but faces several challenges. She highlighted differences in behavior among Congolese students, influenced by their upbringing. Additionally, many Congolese children come to school without books and proper school uniforms.

Nkubaneza Emmanuel, the District Education Officer, confirmed that over 500 students cross the border daily from DRC to Uganda, most of whom are in primary school. He emphasized that they are distributed across more than 10 Ugandan schools in the Kisoro district.

The ongoing conflict in the North Kivu province of DR Congo has severely impacted the education sector, compelling students to make the arduous journey to Uganda for access to education.