Schools reopen in DR Congo's Ebola-hit areas

Schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have resumed operations in the areas most affected by the Ebola virus, Reuters reported.

The government had initially planned to temporarily suspend traditional classes in these areas and switch to distance learning. However, the decision was canceled after it was decided that the risk of students falling behind in their educational processes outweighed the risk of contracting the virus.

The death toll from the Ebola epidemic in the country has exceeded 3,000, according to government data released on Wednesday, September 2. The disease has spread to six provinces, with a mortality rate of 48.6 percent.

More than 1,000 schools in Ituri province have been classified as “red zones,” meaning they are at high risk of Ebola transmission or are actively infected. The rules, announced on August 19, were to replace traditional classes with biweekly assignments and distance learning via radio and television.

However, schools reopened as usual this week. A spokesman for the Ministry of Education told Reuters that the government had revised the initial decision after a request from provincial officials. For now, schools are closed and distance learning is the norm if a case of Ebola is detected.

Schools have also reopened in areas of North Kivu and South Kivu controlled by the Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebels, where students are being asked to wash their hands and maintain social distancing in classrooms.

In late August, the World Health Organization declared Uganda over its outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The country has reported 20 cases, including two deaths. The Ugandan government declared the country free of the Ebola epidemic on July 28.