Parents and teachers in Congo are urging authorities to delay the reopening of schools as the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Ituri province continues to spread rapidly, outpacing containment efforts. The outbreak is the fastest-growing in the disease's history.
As of the latest reports from Congolese health authorities, the outbreak has resulted in 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths. Schools across Congo are scheduled to reopen on September 1. However, in Ituri, educators and parents express grave concerns about the risk to children, particularly given that children aged four and below have the highest case-fatality rate at 60%.
"We want to resume classes, but not at the cost of our lives," said Fazila Rebecca, a teacher in Bunia, the capital of Ituri. "As long as the disease is circulating and protective measures remain inadequate, returning to the classroom means taking a risk we cannot ignore."
The local Ituri teachers union met to discuss the situation, advocating for an assessment of the outbreak before a decision on school reopening is made. "We are not opposed to the resumption of classes, but we believe that the health and safety of teachers and students must be a priority," stated Budju Lobo Isaac, a representative of the teachers’ union.
The outbreak is occurring amidst challenging conditions, including insecurity, population displacement, a strike by health workers, and significant population movements. The World Health Organization has indicated that the outbreak remains out of control and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which was the deadliest on record.
Officials believe the current outbreak, declared in mid-May, began spreading in February. It has since expanded from three health zones to nearly 60, with a significant number of cases and deaths occurring outside of monitored contacts and within communities. A major obstacle in combating this outbreak is that the Bundibugyo virus responsible has no approved vaccines or treatments, though clinical trials are underway.
Measures to control the outbreak, such as restricting public gatherings, promoting social distancing, and closing airports, have disrupted daily life in the six affected provinces, with Ituri being particularly hard-hit by rebel violence. While the government has implemented measures like installing health equipment, advocacy groups argue that further efforts are needed to build community trust.
"Beyond the practical challenges, community acceptance remains critical," said Greg Ramm, director for Save the Children in Congo. "The immediate priority is to ensure that every school, teacher and family has the information and resources they need to make the start of the school year as safe as possible for children."
Parents, like Espérance Dz’venga, are torn between the desire for their children to attend school and concerns for their well-being. "As a parent, I want to see my children in school, but — like many other parents — what I want most is for them to come home healthy," she said. "We are afraid that our children might be exposed at school and then bring the illness home."