The new academic year has begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo under unusual circumstances, with schools in Ebola-affected areas reopening as health officials and communities work to prevent further infections.
In Ituri Province, parents and teachers are worried that bringing large numbers of children together could increase the risk of Ebola transmission.
Schools have responded by introducing a range of measures designed to limit close physical contact and improve hygiene.
Students have been told not to shake hands, while sharing meals has been discouraged. Teachers and pupils are also being asked to avoid unnecessary physical contact.
Schools have installed hand-washing points around classrooms, while movement during break periods has reportedly been restricted.
Gerlance Mahamba Mumbere, a school manager, said staff were making every effort to ensure that pupils could return to their studies while following the necessary safety measures.
The responsibility for preventing infections is not being left to schools alone. Parents are also educating their children about the risks before they leave home each morning.
One parent, Noëlla Mite Apesilam, said she regularly reminds her children to avoid handshakes and kissing and to follow the health guidance provided at school.
The concern is particularly serious in schools with large enrolments. Civil society representatives say some institutions have between 200 and 500 pupils, making strict preventive measures essential.
Michel Méta Wani, a civil society leader in Ituri who works with the Ebola response team, said communities could not afford to ignore the potential consequences of an outbreak spreading among children.
Health teams have therefore urged students, teachers and school administrators to follow the recommended precautions consistently.
UNICEF is supporting authorities with measures aimed at reducing the possibility of transmission within schools as the response to the outbreak continues.
The reopening comes at a challenging time for the province, where efforts to control Ebola remain a major public health priority.
For families, the return to school is an important step toward restoring normal life, but concerns over the disease mean that classrooms will have to operate under heightened health precautions.
The coming weeks will be closely watched as authorities assess whether the measures in place are sufficient to keep pupils safe while allowing education to continue.
