Schools reopen in eastern DRC as families struggle with fees and insecurity

As schools reopen in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, many families are struggling to send their children back to class.
The ongoing conflict, particularly the offensive by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group, has devastated the local economy and displaced millions.
Many parents face the difficult choice of keeping their children at home due to financial constraints and unpaid debts from previous years.
The situation has also impacted on local businesses, with school supply vendors reporting a significant drop in sales.
The crisis has forced the closure of over 2,500 schools in North and South Kivu provinces, with many converted into temporary shelters for the displaced.
The UN children's agency is calling for emergency measures to ensure continued education for hundreds of thousands of children affected by the crisis.
Despite recent peace deals mediated by the US and Qatar, the conflict persists, leaving the future of education in the region uncertain.

Al Jazeera's Alain Uaykani reports from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

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