Ebola outbreak: Liberia to reopen schools as spread of disease decreases

The school year was due to start in September but the government decided in August to keep students at home

The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 3,400 people in Liberia (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty)

Liberia will reopen schools next month, almost six months after the government closed them because of the Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 3,400 people in the West African nation.

The rate of new Ebola cases has slowed in recent weeks in Liberia where the government and international organisations have, with support from the US, stepped up efforts to stop it spreading.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said schools would reopen on 2 February, but she did not specify whether the measure would apply to the entire education system. George Wuo, a director at the Education Ministry, said the authorities were assessing around 500 schools.

“We are negotiating with our partners for the distribution of non-contact thermometers and buckets for hand washing to all schools in the Republic of Liberia,” Mr Wuo said.

The school year was due to start in September but the government decided in August to keep students at home to prevent the further spread of the disease.

More than 20,000 cases of the virus have been reported across Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, causing nearly 8,000 deaths.

Reuters