Schools have reopened across Congo amid ongoing concerns about the country’s rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak, particularly in the epicenter of Ituri province. Despite warnings from teachers’ unions and apprehension from parents, authorities proceeded with the new academic year as the outbreak continues to claim lives.

Since mid-May, more than 6,100 cases of Ebola have been confirmed nationwide, with nearly 2,950 people reported dead, marking it as the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease on record. In Ituri province, where the outbreak is most severe, the teachers’ union had urged the government to postpone the resumption of classes. However, the government maintained the schedule for reopening schools.

In response to the health crisis, UNICEF has partnered with local authorities to implement infection prevention measures in educational settings. The aid organization’s emergency coordinator, Dounia Dekhili, emphasized the dual importance of safeguarding the health of students, teachers, and communities while ensuring that children’s right to education is upheld.

Some schools in Ituri, particularly state-run institutions, have witnessed low attendance since reopening. Aimerance Vahweka, a parent in the provincial capital Bunia, expressed concern over the perceived lack of enhanced prevention efforts, choosing to keep her child at home for the time being. “I do not really see an increase in prevention measures,” she said.

Education officials reported efforts to equip schools with non-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing stations. Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher at a private school in Bunia, highlighted ongoing efforts to educate students about hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing and sanitizer use.

Nevertheless, significant obstacles remain. Many schools, especially in remote areas, lack reliable access to clean water, and funding for protective measures and educational resources is reportedly below target. Greg Ramm, director of Save the Children in Congo, pointed to logistical difficulties in distributing necessary equipment and materials, which may further hinder effective prevention and continuity of education.

Health data underscores the severity of the outbreak among young children, with those aged four and under experiencing a case-fatality rate of 60%, the highest among all age groups. The balance between mitigating health risks and maintaining educational access continues to be a critical challenge for communities and authorities grappling with the Ebola crisis.