A new academic term commenced in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday despite concerns raised by parents and educators regarding the ongoing Ebola outbreak’s threat to children in the epicenter. The reopening of schools occurs amidst a rapidly expanding outbreak that has resulted in 2,950 fatalities out of 6,100 confirmed cases as of Tuesday, according to the most recent government statistics.
Although the teachers’ union in Ituri province, the outbreak’s epicenter, had advocated for a postponement of classes, the government proceeded with the resumption. UNICEF has extended its support to the authorities to prevent infections within educational institutions.
Certain schools in Ituri, particularly those under government ownership, experienced low attendance rates. However, Ituri authorities did not provide feedback on measures implemented to prevent transmission within classrooms upon request. A parent in Bunia, Ituri’s capital, named Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the school reopening and has chosen to keep her child at home for the time being, citing a lack of visible enhancements in preventive measures.
Education officials mentioned that schools are being equipped with non-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and handwashing facilities. Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher at a private school in Bunia, emphasized the importance of educating students on adhering to hygiene protocols, especially regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer.
Numerous challenges persist, as many schools face issues with accessing clean water, and funding falls short of requirements, as highlighted by Greg Ramm, the director for Save the Children in Congo. Health data indicates that children aged four and below exhibit the highest case-fatality rate of 60% in the current outbreak.
Dounia Dekhili, the UNICEF emergency coordinator for the country, emphasized the necessity of prioritizing the health of students, teachers, and communities while safeguarding children’s right to education. The ongoing outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is the fastest-growing in the disease’s history, spreading across over 60 health zones. The World Health Organization (WHO) anticipates that the outbreak may surpass the regional outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
Health workers in affected provinces have engaged in multiple strikes to protest payment delays, impacting the response to the crisis. Efforts to contain the disease have been impeded by the absence of an approved vaccine or treatment. Despite the distribution of thousands of doses of the Ervebo vaccine by Congolese authorities, which the WHO believes may offer some protection, challenges persist due to conflicts between the government and rebel factions in the eastern region, attacks on healthcare workers, and significant population movements exacerbating the situation.