Public schools in the Dungu sub-division of Haut-Uélé province, northern Democratic Republic of Congo, have yet to reopen since the start of the new academic year on September 1, as teachers continue a “dry strike” in protest over unpaid salaries and irregular payments.
The strike was declared by the teachers’ union, which issued a list of demands following a meeting with local political and education authorities last Sunday.
Their grievances include the regularization of salaries, immediate payment of two months of salary arrears (July and August), and the removal of Caritas from handling their payments, accusing the Catholic charity of persistent delays.
“The misery and precarious living conditions of teachers in Dungu have become unbearable. Distress is everywhere. Under such conditions, how can a teacher give their best to educate the children entrusted to them? The situation is no longer tenable,” Jean-Paul Laglise, president of the local inter-union of teachers told local media.
He added: “The irregularity of payments has become the norm, and it is intolerable. We demand an end to these delays. We insist on the immediate payment of our arrears. Authorities must ensure that teachers’ salaries are paid directly through banks once and for all; that is the solution.”
In response, the territory administrator of Dungu, Marcel Abule Kpineliede, attempted last week to mediate the dispute but failed to secure a resolution.
While acknowledging the teachers’ right to strike, he urged them to consider the best interests of their students and resume classes by Monday, September 8. The appeal went unanswered.
Tensions escalated further after two union representatives were arrested on Saturday, while others have gone into hiding.
The inter-union condemned the arrests, warning that such actions only worsen the crisis and deepen frustration among already struggling teachers.
The deadlock has left thousands of pupils in northern DRC without access to education as the school year begins, with no clear indication of when classrooms in Dungu will reopen.