DRC Opens 2026-27 School Year Under Ebola Health Protocols; Beni Reopening Disrupted by Teacher Strike

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ministry of Education proceeded with the nationwide start of the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, maintaining classes even in Ebola-affected zones under a 'differentiated' plan announced 19 August: green zones (unaffected) operate normally, orange zones (affected) add health screening, and 18 of 138 educational subdivisions (13%) classified red/high-risk switch temporarily to distance learning via printed materials and radio broadcasts rather than closing outright. In Beni, North Kivu — one of the hardest-hit health zones, with a roughly 69% case fatality rate — the reopening was muted: most public schools stayed shut after the Intersyndicate of Teachers (Nord-Kivu II) called a strike citing Ebola risk, unpaid health-mutual contributions (MESP), and insecurity, while a nationwide teachers' union separately began a 1-12 September strike demanding a $500 minimum salary. The few schools that opened installed hand-washing stations and thermal scanners at entrances per the North Kivu governor's directive. Parent Joël Kambale said, 'I want my child to come home healthy. I don't want school to be a contamination site,' while student Angelani Audrey said, 'We're somewhat afraid, we're here without knowing what tomorrow will be.' In Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, teachers reported for duty but classrooms were nearly empty, with roughly one-tenth of children attending.