A fresh academic session commenced in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, despite concerns raised by parents and educators about the ongoing Ebola outbreak posing risks to children in the epicenter. The return to school coincides with an escalating outbreak that has claimed 2,950 lives and infected 6,100 individuals as per the most recent government statistics.
Although the teachers’ union in Ituri province had appealed for a delay in reopening schools due to the outbreak, the government proceeded with the resumption. UNICEF is collaborating with authorities to implement preventive measures in schools to curb transmissions.
Some schools in Ituri, particularly those under government ownership, experienced low attendance rates. Officials in Ituri did not provide details on steps taken to prevent virus spread within classrooms. A parent in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, named Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the school reopening and opted to keep her child at home, citing inadequate prevention measures.
To address safety concerns, education officials are outfitting schools with non-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing stations. Teachers like Etienne Ndjabu in Bunia private schools are educating students on hygiene protocols, emphasizing regular handwashing and hand sanitizer use.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges persist, including a lack of clean water access in many schools and insufficient funding. Greg Ramm, the director for Save the Children in Congo, highlighted logistical hurdles, especially in remote areas, where delays in delivering equipment and learning materials are common.
Children aged four and under face the highest fatality rate of 60% in the outbreak, based on health data. Dounia Dekhili, the UNICEF emergency coordinator for the country, emphasized the dual importance of safeguarding health and ensuring children’s right to education.
The latest outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is rapidly spreading across more than 60 health zones. Health authorities believe the virus had been circulating undetected in communities since February. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the outbreak is set to surpass the West Africa epidemic of 2014-2016.
Health workers in affected provinces have staged multiple strikes to protest delayed payments, impacting the response to the outbreak. Efforts to contain the disease are hindered by the absence of an approved vaccine or treatment. Although the distribution of the Ervebo vaccine has begun, challenges persist due to conflicts between the government and rebel groups, attacks on healthcare workers, and significant population displacements exacerbating the crisis.