Open Access
American Research Journal of History and Culture
ISSN (Online): 2379-2914
DOI: 10.46568/arjhc
Influence of the Congo’s Leaders on its Education
Jeremy Cheng, “Influence of the Congo’s Leaders on its Education”. American Research Journal of
History and Culture, vol 6, no. 1; pp: 1-10.
Abstract
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is challenged by constant political violence, economic
instability, and a variety ofhumanitarian crises. This can be attributed in part to the educational system in the
country, which has been adversely affectednot only by colonial influence but by ongoing corruption and turbulent
political change as well. As the parties controlling the DRC changed, so too did the nation’s educational system.
Prior to being overtakenby King Leopold II in 1884–85 and then Belgium in 1908, King Afonso I provided
his Kongo kingdom with a beneficial education system. The education system implemented by Leopoldsought
toreinforce his own economic interests rather than educate the people under his rule. Belgian colonial rule
was slow to improve the state of education in the region.In 1960, the Congo’s first native leader, Patrice
Lumumba, achieved independence for the nation. Lumumba’s proposals left behind an educational legacy that
flourished shortly after his death;however, the systemwas not maintained by subsequent puppet leaders such
as MobutuSeseSeko and Laurent-DésiréKabila. Ultimately, the Congo’s plagued educational system is not only
invariably linked to its ever-changing political and economic states, but also to the historical impressions left
by its leaders throughout history.
