New Delhi (NVI): The students affected by COVID-19-related school closures worldwide increased by 38 per cent in November, damaging the learning and well-being of over 90 million children, according to the UNICEF.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also called on governments around the world to prioritize the reopening of schools and put measures in place to make them as safe as possible.
According to the data by UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as of December 1 classrooms are closed for nearly one in five schoolchildren globally, or 320 million. It’s an increase of nearly 90 million students in one month from 232 million.
UNICEF Global Chief of Education Robert Jenkins said, “In spite of everything we have learned about COVID-19, the role of schools in community transmission, and the steps we can take to keep children safe at school, we are moving in the wrong direction—and doing so very quickly.”
“Evidence shows that schools are not the main drivers of this pandemic. Yet, we are seeing an alarming trend whereby governments are once again closing down schools as a first recourse rather than a last resort. In some cases, this is being done nationwide, rather than community by community, and children are continuing to suffer the devastating impacts on their learning, mental and physical well-being and safety.”
Moreover, the agency cited a recent study using data from 191 countries, which showed no association between school status and COVID-19 infection rates in the community. It added that there is a little evidence that schools contribute to higher rates of transmission.
UNICEF also noted that, when schools close, children risk losing their learning, support system, food and safety, with the most marginalized children who are the most likely to drop out altogether paying the heaviest price.
“As millions of children remain out of their classrooms for more than nine months, too many schools are closing unnecessarily and not enough emphasis has been placed on taking the necessary steps to make schools safe from COVID-19,” the agency said.
It further added that the re-opening plans must include expanding access to education, including remote learning and education systems must also be adapted and rebuilt to withstand future crises.
The UN agency, together with the UN educational agency UNESCO, the refugee agency UNHCR, the UN World Food Programme and the World Bank, has published a Framework for Reopening Schools, with practical advice covering areas such as policy reform, financing requirements, safe operations and reaching the most marginalized children.
“What we have learned about schooling during the time of COVID is clear: the benefits of keeping schools open far outweigh the costs of closing them, and nationwide closures of schools should be avoided at all costs,” Jenkins added.
-RJV
