Miraji Habibu, a 12-year-old student in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on what education means to him: “If I were to become a businessman today, nobody could easily steal from or trick me because my studies have taught me how to count and calculate.” Photo: JRS-Democratic Republic of the Congo
On January 24, the International Day of Education, we are called to reflect on the role that education plays in building just and peaceful societies.
Education is a basic human right, yet 272 million children around the world are not in school. This figure is 21 million higher than in 2024
Vulnerable communities, which are often isolated, impoverished, or affected by war, lack access to education or severe disruptions.
CJI and its Jesuit partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America provide these communities with early formal and informal childhood and adult education, and vocational training. They give special attention is given to marginalized groups, focusing on gender equality and culturally relevant education for Indigenous populations.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), CJI donors supported the Jesuit Refugee Service-DRC in rebuilding 10 classrooms destroyed by the war in Goma in January 2025. The project also furnished the classrooms with furniture and provided school supplies.
Miraji Habibu, a 12-year-old student at the Byahi Primary School, recalled how students would trip because of the poor condition of the floors. When it rained, they would come home soaking wet because of the leaking roofs. “Now, we study in much cleaner classrooms with much better conditions than before,” said Miraji, who hopes to start his own business someday.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed January 24 as International Day of Education, “in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.”
This year’s theme is “The power of youth in co-creating education,” recognizing their role as “agents of change in achieving inclusive and equitable education and building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”
Learn more about how CJI and its Jesuit partners are helping to advance the right to education: https://bit.ly/48XS4b8
