Schools have reopened in Ebola-affected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with authorities reversing plans for remote learning in high-risk zones. The move followed concerns that prolonged distance learning could leave pupils in affected communities academically behind their peers.
Government data showed that the outbreak had recorded more than 6,000 confirmed cases and over 3,000 deaths across six provinces, with a fatality rate of 48.6 per cent. More than 1,000 schools in Ituri Province remain classified as “red zones” because of active transmission or heightened risk.
An Education Ministry official said the decision to reopen followed requests from provincial authorities, but schools would immediately close and switch to distance learning if an Ebola case were detected. Schools in parts of North and South Kivu controlled by Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 forces have also reopened, with hand-washing, sanitising and social-distancing measures in place.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. Authorities have installed hygiene facilities and supplied kits to schools in high-risk areas, while parents and teachers continue to encourage children to observe strict hygiene measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
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