International organizations gave these instructions to open closed schools.UNESCO, UNICEF, WFPA and the World Bank have issued several directives to reopen schools closed due to the corona virus epidemic. These organizations have said in their guidelines that in order to offset the impact of the epidemic on education, it is necessary to increase investment in education, policy reform, sanitation and protection.
On Wednesday 29 April, UNICEF published the guidelines in a form on its website. It is said that about 1.3 billion students worldwide are affected by the corona virus. UNESCO, UNICEF, WFPA and the World Bank also issued warnings. Due to this epidemic, the closure of educational activities will pose a serious risk to the education and health of the children. Especially marginalized children who depend on schools for education, health, protection and nutrition.
The guidelines state that reopening of schools must be decided by national and local authorities. In that case, education, health and socio-economic benefits and risks should be considered on the basis of the best interests of children and overall public health.
They added that schools should focus on better reopening schools with better education and more comprehensive support, including health, nutrition, psycho-social support and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. According to the international organizations, the guidelines will provide practical advice on how to keep children safe after returning to school.
The guidelines state clear policies for opening and closing schools in emergencies with a focus on public health, and for strengthening and improving the quality of marginalized and out-of-school children and distance learning methods. We need to invest in education to restore and stabilize the education system under the influence of corona virus.
Circumstances that reduce disease transmission, provide the necessary services and use soap for hand washing, clean water, social distance issues and healthy habits need to be developed among children. Necessary school-based services, including health care and school feeding, need to be strengthened for the well-being and safety of children. Reach out to marginalized children.
Henrietta Farrey, Executive Director of UNICEF, said: “Increasing inequality, poor health, violence, child labor and child marriage and out-of-school children are among the long-term threats. Children who stay out of school longer are less likely to return. If we do not prioritize the reopening of schools when we feel safe, we will see a big disaster in education.’
The UNICEF statement said that when different countries reopen schools, classrooms should be more class-based than online education as part of the UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP and World Bank’s Global Education Coalition. It also asks to pay attention to the risk of infection.
Jaime Savedre, the World Bank’s global director for education, said that once schools reopen, care must be taken to adapt children to school and learning. Especially those who suffered more losses. The guidelines provide a framework for the major UN agencies to move forward together.
News Room, May 02,2020