The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated that the decision to resume in-person classes for elementary and preschool students starting from January 23 aligns with reports and studies warning against the prolonged closure of schools and the disruption of children's learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF urged prioritizing the education and interests of children, advocating that schools remain open for every child everywhere during 2022, and that schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen, with public health measures in place to protect students.
In its latest report on the impact of school closures on children, both psychologically and cognitively, UNICEF highlighted that these closures would cost the current generation their daily personal interactions with friends, as well as the skills required at each educational stage. The report emphasized the importance of making 2022 a priority for education in the interests of children and ensuring that studies are not disrupted, especially since the precautionary measures are effective and contribute to keeping schools open and safe.
The report confirmed the existence of issues related to children's literacy and numeracy around the world, stating that the duration of school closures has caused significant setbacks in education. It called for awareness-raising activities to advocate for the resumption of in-person classes, along with efforts to expedite the recovery of education by implementing programs that ensure current students receive a level of education comparable to that of previous generations. These programs should cover areas such as curriculum enhancement, extended teaching time, and improved learning effectiveness.
