Ebola Outbreak: Sierra Leone to reopen schools in March

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The President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma, said on Friday in Freetown, all schools in the country, which were shut down following the outbreak of Ebola virus in the country, would re-open by March 30.

He said a former chief electoral commissioner, has been appointed as the coordinator for the day to day management, administration and coordination of all activities to reopen schools.

Mr. Koroma said the Commissioner was answerable to him alone and the appointment was with immediate effect.

The president said he has granted executive clearance for the commencement of all activities and implementation for the reopening of schools in March.

“This includes social mobilisation, water and sanitation, hygiene requirements as well as psychosocial support,” he said.

Some parents said that they welcomed the move, but that the government should have waited until the country was Ebola free.

A government spokesperson said that the authorities took that into consideration, but the decision to reopen schools was based on down trend of incidence of the disease.