It’s the start of the new school year in CAR

By Justin BELONGO | LNC

(Bangui, 21 September 2026 | LAMINE MÉDIA) This Monday, 21 September 2026, marks the official start of the new school year, characterised by a sense of ‘meh’ across the Central African Republic, as schools are lacking everything from equipment to qualified staff. But beyond the ritual of reunions, this start to the school year once again highlights the struggle faced by Central African households, caught between inflation and logistical challenges. From dawn, the capital’s main thoroughfares were swamped. For thousands of pupils, the day began well before sunrise: faced with overcrowded public transport and rising taxi fares, many had no choice but to walk several kilometres to arrive on time.

In the city’s markets, from Km5 to the Combattant market, the atmosphere over the past few days had already signalled a return to school amid high economic tension. The price of basic school supplies – exercise books, uniforms and bags – has borne the brunt of the rising cost of living, turning the purchase of these items into a painful budgetary trade-off for parents. Within schools, teaching staff face their own challenge: managing class sizes. Whilst the Ministry of National Education is sticking to its target of reducing class sizes to 75 pupils per class by 2030, the reality on the ground remains one of overcrowded classrooms. Against this backdrop, the role of ‘parent-teachers’ – community teachers supported by families to make up for the shortage of state-employed staff – is proving more essential than ever to keep the education system running, particularly in outlying areas and the provinces. The 2026–2027 school year is now underway. Whilst the children’s faces show their joy at returning to school, the coming weeks will determine whether families and local organisations can keep pace with a year full of challenges. As we have said before, national education is the Central African Republic’s Achilles’ heel, and this has not changed, as the state has done nothing apart from making demagogic speeches and empty talk.

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in French and English).

Date: 21 September 2026

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