The United Nations (UN) agencies namely UNESCO, UNICEF, World Food Program (WFP) with the World Bank have jointly issued guidelines which should serve as a roadmap for safe reopening of schools across the globe.
“633 million students live in countries that have announced a date for the reopening of schools,” UN tweeted on Friday.
The report noted that the covid-19 pandemic which forced schools to close still posed a greater danger to the education, well being and nutrition of children.
“We know the longer children stay out of school, the less likely they are to ever return.
; unless we prioritize the reopening of schools – when it is safe to do so – we will likely see a devastating reversal in education gains,” Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director stated.
Hence,the report urged national and local authorities to consider its practical steps before reopening schools
Below are guidelines :
POLICY REFORM:
“Policy implications address all dimensions of the guidelines, including clear policies for school opening and closure during public health emergencies, reforms needed to expand equitable access for marginalised and out of school children as well as strengthen and standardize remote learning practices.”
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS:
“Address the impact of COVID-19 on education and invest in strengthening education systems for recovery and resilience.
SAFE OPERATIONS:
“Ensure conditions that reduce disease transmission, safeguard essential services and supplies and promote healthy behaviour. This includes access to soap and clean water for safe handwashing, procedures on when staff or students feel unwell, protocols on social distancing and good hygiene practices.
COMPENSATING LEARNING:
“Focus on practices that compensate for lost instructional time, strengthen pedagogy and build on hybrid learning models such as integrating approaches in remote and distance education.
This must include knowledge on disease transmission and prevention.
WELLNESS and PROTECTION:
“Expand the focus on students’ well-being and reinforce the protection of children through enhanced referral mechanisms and the provision of essential school-based services including healthcare and school feeding.
REACHING THE MOST MARGINALIZED:
“Adapt school opening policies and practices to expand access to marginalised groups such as previously out-of-school children, displaced and migrant children and minorities. Diversify critical communications and outreach by making them available in relevant languages and in accessible formats.”