Schools open in Congo despite parents’ and teachers’ fears over Ebola outbreak

The new school year has begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite fears among parents and teachers that classrooms could expose children to Ebola in Ituri, the reported epicenter of the outbreak.

The teachers’ union in Ituri asked the government to delay the start of classes, but authorities refused to change the schedule. Some schools, particularly government-run schools, recorded only a small number of pupils. One mother in Bunia, Ituri’s capital, said she was surprised by the decision and was keeping her child at home because she had seen no increase in preventive measures.

Education officials said schools were being equipped with contactless infrared thermometers, hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations. Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher at a private school in Bunia, said schools were also raising students’ awareness of hygiene protocols, including regular hand-washing and sanitizer use. UNICEF said it supported the authorities’ efforts to prevent transmission in schools.

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We are also increasing students’ awareness of following hygiene protocols, especially regular hand-washing and the use of hand sanitizer.

But major obstacles remain. Many schools lack access to clean water, funding is below target, and equipment and learning materials may arrive late in remote areas. Greg Ram, director of Save the Children in Congo, cited the logistical difficulties. Dunia Dekhil, UNICEF’s emergency coordinator in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said, “The priority is to protect the health of students, teachers and communities and to preserve children’s right to learn as much as possible.”

The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, has spread across more than 60 health zones. Authorities believe it circulated undetected in communities from at least February. Since mid-May, 2,950 people have died among 6,100 confirmed cases, according to the report. The World Health Organization says the outbreak could become larger than the regional West Africa epidemic of 2014 to 2016.

The response has also been hindered by delayed payments that prompted several strikes by health workers, a lack of an approved vaccine or treatment, attacks on health workers, conflict between the government and rebel groups in the east, and heavy population movement. Congolese authorities have begun distributing the Ervebo vaccine, which the WHO says may offer some protection.

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The priority is to protect the health of students, teachers and communities and to preserve children’s right to learn as much as possible.