A new school year has commenced in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid concerns from parents and teachers about the ongoing Ebola outbreak’s threat to children in the central region.
Despite calls from the teachers’ union in Ituri province, the heart of the outbreak, to postpone the reopening of schools, the government proceeded with the resumption. UNICEF is collaborating with authorities to prevent the spread of the virus within school premises.
Some schools in Ituri, particularly those under government administration, experienced low attendance rates. Officials in Ituri did not provide details on measures taken to prevent transmission in classrooms.
A parent in Bunia, the provincial capital, Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the sudden reopening of schools and has opted to keep her child at home for the time being. Vahweka noted a lack of enhanced preventive measures in place.
Education officials mentioned equipping schools with non-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing stations. Teachers like Etienne Ndjabu from a private school in Bunia emphasized the importance of educating students on adhering to hygiene protocols, including regular handwashing.
However, challenges persist, with many schools lacking access to clean water and facing funding shortages. Greg Ramm, the director for Save the Children in Congo, highlighted logistical hurdles, particularly in remote areas, affecting the timely delivery of equipment and educational materials.
Children under the age of four have the highest fatality rate in the current outbreak, standing at 60 percent according to health data.
Dounia Dekhili, the UNICEF emergency coordinator in the country, emphasized the need to safeguard the health of students, teachers, and communities while ensuring children’s right to education.
The latest Ebola outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is the fastest-spreading in history, affecting over 60 health zones. Authorities suspect the virus had been circulating undetected in communities since at least February. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that this outbreak could surpass the scale of the West Africa outbreak from 2014 to 2016.
Health workers in affected provinces have staged strikes to protest delayed payments, hampering the response to the outbreak. Efforts to contain the disease have been hindered by the lack of an approved vaccine or treatment, despite the distribution of the Ervebo vaccine by Congolese authorities.
The conflict between the government and rebel factions in the eastern region, attacks on healthcare staff, and significant population movements have exacerbated the outbreak’s challenges.