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Congo Reopens Ebola Red-Zone Schools, Abandoning Remote Learning Plan
Schools in parts of Congo reopened even though Ebola is still spreading.
Some of these schools are in areas called red zones because the disease risk is high.
Officials had first planned to teach children through worksheets, radio, and television.
They changed their minds because they worried students would fall behind.
Officials said schools will close and use distance learning if a case is detected.
Schools have added hand-washing supplies and are asking students to keep their distance.
Parents are still worried and are sending children with disinfectant.
The outbreak has killed more than 3,000 people.
Schools reopened this week in Ebola-affected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More than 1,000 schools in Ituri are classified as high-risk red-zone schools.
Authorities reversed a plan for worksheets and radio and television lessons.
The government said students should not fall behind unless a case appears.
Schools require hand-washing and social distancing, while parents remain concerned about transmission.
- Who
- Students, parents, education authorities, and officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo are involved.
- What
- Schools in Ebola-affected areas reopened after authorities dropped a planned distance-learning system for red-zone schools.
- Where
- The decision particularly affects Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- When
- Schools reopened this week; the report was published on September 2.
- Why
- Provincial authorities said in-person schooling would help students avoid falling behind; schools are expected to close if a case appears.
In-Person Schooling
Distance Learning
Keeping students on track
In-Person Schooling
Provincial authorities requested reopening so students in red zones would not fall behind classmates elsewhere.
Distance Learning
The original ministry regulations sought to replace classroom teaching with worksheets, radio, and television lessons in high-risk areas.
Managing Ebola risk
In-Person Schooling
Officials said schools could remain open with hygiene kits, hand-washing, and social distancing, and would close at the first sign of a case.
Distance Learning
The red-zone classification and parents' concerns reflect the risk of transmission in schools while Ebola remains active.
Key facts
- Red-zone schools
- More than 1,000 schools in Ituri are classified as being in high-risk or active-transmission zones.
- Reported deaths
- The outbreak's death toll has exceeded 3,000, according to government data.
- Confirmed cases
- The report cites 6,186 confirmed cases nationwide.
- Mortality rate
- The reported mortality rate is 48.6%.
- Planned remote learning
- The August 19 regulations called for worksheets every two weeks and lessons broadcast on radio and television.
- Health measures
- Schools have installed hygiene kits and require hand-washing and social distancing.
- Transmission
- Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected people's bodily fluids.
Quotes
Anonymous education ministry official
Education ministry official who spoke to Reuters anonymously
“The government reviewed its initial decision at the request of provincial authorities who wanted to ensure that students living even in red zones would not fall behind in the school curriculum compared to others.”
theprint.in
“At the first sign of a case, we will close and implement distance learning, but for now, that’s not the case.”
theprint.in
La Reine Vahwere
Parent in Beni, North Kivu province
“I told them to avoid touching each other, physically touching their classmates.”
theprint.in
Sources
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