A fresh academic term commenced throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, amid parental and teacher apprehensions about the ongoing Ebola crisis in the central zone posing potential threats to children. The reopening of schools occurs amidst a rapidly expanding outbreak, with official figures indicating 2,950 fatalities out of 6,100 confirmed cases as of Tuesday.
Despite the teachers’ union in the outbreak epicenter, Ituri province, advocating for a postponement of classes, the government proceeded with the reopening. UNICEF has extended its support to the authorities in implementing preventive measures within schools to curb transmissions.
Certain schools in Ituri, particularly government-owned institutions, observed low student attendance. Local authorities in Ituri declined to comment on their strategies to prevent transmission within classrooms. A parent in Bunia, the provincial capital, Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the sudden school resumption and opted to keep her child at home for the time being, citing inadequate prevention measures.
Education officials have been outfitting schools with non-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing facilities. Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher at a private school in Bunia, emphasized the importance of educating students on adhering to hygiene protocols, including regular handwashing and sanitizer use.
Nevertheless, significant challenges persist, with many schools lacking access to clean water, and funding falling short of targets. Greg Ramm, the director for Save the Children in Congo, highlighted logistical obstacles, especially in remote areas, where delays in the delivery of equipment and educational materials may occur.
Children under the age of four have the highest case-fatality rate in the outbreak, standing at 60%, based on health data available. Dounia Dekhili, the UNICEF emergency coordinator for the country, stressed the dual priority of safeguarding the health of students, teachers, and communities while upholding children’s right to education.
The current outbreak, attributed to the rare Bundibugyo virus, has been marked as the swiftest in the disease’s history, spanning over 60 health zones. Authorities suspect that the virus had been silently circulating within communities since at least February. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the outbreak is on course to surpass the regional epidemic in West Africa from 2014 to 2016.
Healthcare workers in affected regions have staged multiple strikes to protest delayed payments, impacting the response to the crisis significantly. Efforts to contain the disease have been hindered by the absence of an approved vaccine or treatment. Despite this, Congolese authorities have initiated the distribution of thousands of doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which the WHO believes may offer some level of protection.
The conflict between the government and rebel factions in the eastern region, assaults on healthcare personnel, and substantial population displacements have further exacerbated the outbreak’s severity.