Africa-Press – Botswana. More than 1.6 billion learners globally were affected by the school closures due to COVID 19. On the International Day of Education and as the pandemic nears its two-year mark, UNICEF has called on stakeholders to ensure that children are given the necessary support to recover.
“Students need intensive support to recover lost education. Schools must also go beyond being places of learning to rebuild children’s mental and physical health, social development and nutrition,” said UNICEF representative, Dr. Joan Matji.
She applauded the government of Botswana for being one of the first countries in the Eastern and Southern African region to open schools and to keep children safe.
Globally, disruption to education has meant millions of children have significantly missed out on the academic learning they would have acquired if they had been in the classroom, with younger and more marginalised children facing the greatest loss and Botswana has not been spared. In Botswana, the school closures resulted in the increment in school-drop out with some 27% additional children and youth dropping out or not have access to school due to the pandemic’s socio-economic impact.
In addition to learning loss, school closures have impacted children’s mental health, reduced their access to a regular source of nutrition, and increased their risk of abuse. COVID-19 exposed and aggravated the already existing education challenges and disparities, especially on the most vulnerable children, youth and adults who are more likely to face additional barriers; children living with special needs and disabilities who were deprived of physical learning opportunities; completing students who were supposed to sit for their final examinations, and children in rural areas.
“To our private sector and development partners, we appeal to you to work with the government and UNICEF to help overcome this crisis and to ensure that 2022 is the year children are supported to catch up on the learning loss they have suffered. We urge you to substantially increase funding for distance learning modalities, including digital technology and innovation, to protect against learning gaps and prepare students for future jobs in an increasingly digital world,” stressed Matji.
Tuduetso Kelapile*- UNICEF head of external communications and advocacy.
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