School reopening in Bunia remains subdued amid Ebola fears

The streets of Bunia were unusually quiet as the school year began on September 1. In many classrooms, only a handful of pupils appeared, while others remained completely empty.

Parents faced a choice between sending their children to school and protecting them from a possible Ebola infection. Their concerns were sharpened by shortages of hand-washing kits and temperature-screening equipment, which schools said were insufficient for the expected number of pupils.

Education authorities sought to reassure families, saying protective equipment was being deployed gradually. Schools also adopted additional precautions. At the Shalom School Complex in Bunia, recess was suspended to reduce close contact between students.

The first two hours of classes were devoted entirely to health education. Staff at the Elikya School Complex gave pupils and accompanying parents practical advice on preventive measures to follow at school and at home.

Attendance fell most sharply in kindergartens. Many families chose to keep young children at home because they believed they were too young to follow health instructions consistently, at least until the epidemiological situation improves.