Policies

The Expansion Project Of Support To The Education Of Out Of School Children

Country Context

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite its rich natural resources, grapples with profound poverty, recurrent violent conflicts, widespread violence, and limited socio-economic opportunities, particularly affecting children. Economic hardships, cultural norms favoring boys' education over girls', and inadequate school infrastructure compound the challenges. Despite progress, 7.6 million children in the DRC are still out of school, representing 28.9% of children and youth, according to a 2012 UNICEF survey.

Solution

The Expansion Project of Support to the Education of Out-of-School Children, in collaboration with EAC and CARITAS Congo ASBL, aims to provide primary education access to 46,000 out-of-school children and decrease dropout rates in Orientale, Equateur, Katanga, and Kasai Occidental provinces. Objectives include reintegrating and completing primary education for 46,000 OOSC, enhancing study conditions for 11,500 OOSC annually, building capacity among community leaders, local authorities, and NGOs on children's rights, and empowering School Management Teams with accountability and transparency skills.

Impact 

The project enrolled 56,387 out-of-school children across 11 dioceses, significantly increasing enrollment rates from 60% in 2013 to 75% in 2016. Financial support provided annual school fees and kits for 11,500 OOSCs, effectively equivalent to enrolling 46,000 new OOSCs. Additionally, 72 children's learning spaces were established, offering psychosocial support and promoting retention. Teacher training initiatives benefited 1,698 teachers, resulting in improved pedagogical skills. The establishment of observatories helped identify dropout causes and support retention efforts. Community engagement through radio programs and outreach to 3,000 community leaders emphasized the importance of education. Furthermore, 283 target schools received textbooks and teaching materials, while 125 primary schools were constructed in partnership with the government, although enrollment tracking was challenging for the latter.

Analysis

The project's multifaceted approach has positively impacted educational access and quality for vulnerable children in the DRC.