Schools resume classes in Congo’s Ebola epicenter despite concerns from parents and teachers

Classes resumed in Congo's Ebola hotspot on Tuesday, despite parental and teacher apprehensions regarding the ongoing outbreak's potential dangers to children. The resumption of education coincides with the world's fastest-growing Ebola epidemic, claiming 2,950 lives out of 6,100 confirmed cases since mid-May. Teachers' union in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, had advocated for a class delay, but the government proceeded.

UNICEF pledged support to prevent school-related transmission, and some schools equipped themselves with infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and washing facilities. However, many schools in Ituri reported low enrollment, and education authorities declined to comment on preventive measures. Experts acknowledge ongoing challenges, including limited access to clean water and insufficient funds.

UNICEF Emergency coordinator in DRC, Dounia Dekhili, emphasized protecting students, teachers, and communities while preserving children's right to learn. The current outbreak, caused by an uncommon Bundibugyo virus, has expanded to over 60 health zones and is poised to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic. Health workers in the affected provinces have staged strikes over delayed payments, complicating the response to the deadly outbreak.