In a move to promote reading and boost literacy among school pupils in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a mobile library called Kitabus has been launched by the French Institute of Bukavu in Eastern DRC. The name Kitabus is derived from the Swahili word for book, “Kitabu,” and the English word “bus.” This mobile library offers a diverse collection of books, including novels, fables, manga, and educational manuals, all aligned with the Congolese education curriculum.

The mobile library aims to address the limited access to reading materials in the city, which has fewer than five public libraries despite having a population of over three million people. Kitabus visits schools in the city, providing pupils with an opportunity to read and develop a love for books. The pupils are usually given two hours to read as many books as they can, both inside the bus and in an outdoor area set up in the school courtyard.

The mobile library has been well-received by both pupils and teachers. Pupils are excited to have access to a wide range of books beyond their usual textbooks. For instance, Bizimana Johanna, a pupil at Le Progress School Complex, expressed her excitement about reading “L’atelier de Roxanne” and how it has helped her develop a love for reading and writing. Teachers also appreciate the mobile library initiative, which they believe will help pupils develop a reading culture and improve their vocabulary and oral expression skills. Patrick Zezé Irengle, a school teacher, emphasized the importance of reading in helping young people become autonomous and develop their potential.

The Director of Le Progres School Complex, Modeste Bushishi, sees the mobile library initiative as a great way to en-gage pupils during their free time and contribute to strengthening the Congolese educational system. The system faces challenges in implementing its policy of free basic education, and initiatives like Kitabus are seen as crucial in promot-ing a love for reading and learning among pupils.
Kitabus is the first mobile library initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it is hoped that it will pave the way for more such initiatives in the future. The project is supported by ENABEL, which believes that basic education
is key to addressing poverty and preparing young people for the developmental challenges they will face in the future. In a similar initiative, UNICEF has also supported mobile libraries in the DRC, which have been credited with improving school results among participating children. Matthias Assani, the coordinator of the Francophone space,
acknowl-edged the role of UNICEF in supporting their mobile library initiative, which has enabled them to take books to pupils who enjoy reading. Overall, the Kitabus mobile library initiative is a welcome development in the promotion of literacy and a love for reading among school pupils in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is hoped that this initiative will be replicated in other parts of the country and will contribute to the development of a more literate and educated population