Ebola-hit Liberia announces new delay to school restart

Liberia's education ministry has announced a further postponement of the reopening of the country's schools, which were closed six months ago to limit the spread of the Ebola virus.

Classes had been due to resume on Monday after a delay of two weeks, but the ministry said in a statement that schools and parents had asked more time to prepare for the new school year.

"The public is hereby informed that due to numerous appeals from school administrators, parents and other stakeholders, the commencement of class (has) now been scheduled for Monday, March 2," the education ministry said in a statement dated Tuesday.

Liberia and its neighbours Guinea and Sierra Leone are battling the deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.

Schools in all three countries were closed last year over the outbreak, which has killed more than 9,000 people.

The rate of new infections has slowed significantly in recent weeks, paving the way for a gradual return to normal.

In Guinea, children returned to school on January 19 while Sierra Leone has said it will restart classes on March 30.

The education ministry urged schools to complete "Ebola training workshops" for teachers and students ahead of the reopening date.

© 2015 AFP