85 percent of schools are CLOSED

More than half of the population of the Congo is below the age of 15.  Congo is a country of children.

In eastern Congo, an estimated 150,000 children are out of class to the violence.  Most of the schools are closed.  Remember, there is no hotlines or websites for children to keep up or make up for those missed days.

This is another strike against children and Congo.

IRIN Africa | Great Lakes | DRC | DRC: 150,000 children miss school as violence continues in the east | Children Education Conflict | News Item.

NAIROBI, 14 November 2008 (IRIN) - Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has forced most schools in Rutshuru territory to close, leaving an estimated 150,000 children out of class, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said.

"Most children have been displaced," Jaya Murthy, UNICEF communications specialist, told IRIN. "Other children are in the area but unable to attend school." 

Since violence intensified two weeks ago, 85 percent of the 310 schools in the territory have suspended classes, while school buildings have been occupied by displaced civilians and the Congolese army.