Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Millions of students returned to classrooms across the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday despite an Ebola outbreak that has spread to dozens of health zones and claimed thousands of lives.
Education authorities opted to begin the new academic year nationwide, including in outbreak-affected communities, while allowing schools to adjust how lessons are delivered according to local health risks.
Education Minister Raissa Malu said the country was confronting both armed insecurity and a public health emergency, but stressed that authorities would try to protect access to education wherever conditions permitted.
“Our duty remains the same — to make schools work wherever possible and to preserve the right to education wherever circumstances make the situation more difficult,” Malu said.
Schools in areas considered safe enough will retain in-person classes while following recommended health precautions. Communities facing greater risks could instead adopt a simplified distance-learning arrangement.
Government figures showed the Bundibugyo virus outbreak has reached 60 health zones in six provinces: Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and Tshopo.
The Health Ministry reported 6,100 confirmed infections and 2,950 deaths as of Tuesday, with Ituri identified as the outbreak’s epicenter.
Authorities are expected to determine whether classroom instruction can continue based on conditions in individual areas, allowing alternative learning arrangements where the health threat becomes more severe.
About 31 million students are expected to participate in the country’s new school year despite the health and security challenges.