AFRICA – Schools closed, no lessons: Ebola stops education

Friday, 5 December 2014

Freetown (Agenzia Fides) - In Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone at least 5 million children are kept away from school because of the presence of the Ebola virus. According to a study by World Business Group for Education (GBCE), about which Fides was informed, schools closed in order to prevent the spread of Ebola will affect at least a whole generation. GBCE says the consequences could be devastating, with increases in teenage pregnancies, child labour, forced marriages, maltreatment and abuse . Shutting schools will impact in particular girls because to guarantee them a future, parents will force them to marry. This is already happening in Sierra Leone. The study says to prevent this, it is necessary to organise emergency instruction for children and teachers. GBCE has also urged local authorities in countries most affected by Ebola to organise lessons via radio or television, and to guarantee teachers adequate formation regarding prevention of the lethal virus. Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone had very low literacy rates even before the present Ebola outbreak. (AP) (5/12/2014 Agenzia Fides)


Share: