Following the success of the first session of the joint UNESCO-UNICEF-the World Bank webinar series on Framework for Reopening Schools, Learning in the COVID-19 Era, the second and third sessions of the same event continued on June 11 and 13, both from 15:00-16:30 (Paris Time, GMT +2), respectively. The said endeavor is a part of the Global Education Coalition on COVID-19 efforts to support governments in strengthening distance learning and facilitating the reopening of schools.
The second session of the joint webinar series entitled “Safe School Operations” highlighted the current evidence, tools and practice on safe operations. The said webinar was formally commenced by welcoming the participants and introducing the speakers which was delivered by Mr. Robert Jenkins, Global Chief of Education, UNICEF. This was followed by the panelists’ presentations shared by Mr. Stefan Swartling Peterson, Global Chief of Health, UNICEF; Ms. Elyse Leonard, Safe Schools Advisor, Save the Children Norway; Mr. Matthias Lansard, Chief of Education, UNICEF Senegal; and Ms. Lisa Bender, Education in Emergencies, UNICEF. During the session, it was mentioned that school readiness is very important. Guidelines must be ensured that they are “easily translated to the ground” under the supervision of the program coordinators, school heads, and teachers, among others. It was also reiterated that it has always been an interagency effort. Everyone must participate in securing the safety of school and learners as utmost priority. Strategies such as practicing social distancing, providing adequate safety and health essential supplies to the teachers and learners, splitting the learners into smaller groups, intensifying deployment of distance learning programs, and extending the academic year were also emphasized to the participants during the webinar. The activity was concluded with an open forum wherein the panelists enthusiastically answered each query raised.
After the two sessions of the joint webinar series, the third meeting was held that focused on “Well-being & Protection.” On this activity, the discussion delved on how partners address concerns related to children’s holistic well-being through mental health/psychosocial support, school health, school feeding and child protection. The said undertaking was formally opened by Mr. Jenkins by greeting the participants and providing the purpose and overview of the activity. Afterwards, Dr. Ashley Nemiro, Save the Children; Mr. Andres Felices Sanchez, Chief of Education, UNICEF Venezuela; Mr. Chris Castle, Chief of Section for Health and Education, UNESCO; and Ms. Carmen Burbano, Director of School Feeding Division, World Food Program talked about their respective presentations to the group. It was underscored during the session that it is important to support the students’ well-being and continue learning during COVID-19 school closures by reaching out to them and their caregivers, discussing home learning with them, and connecting them to key services. The social and psychological models that surround the children such as teachers, parents and caregivers must also be highly observed and educated in giving proper support during the time of crisis. Another effective strategy shared with the participants was the principle of coordination and complementarity. It was mentioned that vertical approach means building on strategies at the global and regional levels, and contextualizing the approach at the national and local levels; while the horizontal approach means working with the Ministry of Education and other education clusters, standardizing the tools that are used, coordinating with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and partners to modify the modalities of intervention, and adapting to the situation of the pandemic and its confinement. The session ended with the panelists responding to the participants’ questions during the open forum.
The remaining sessions of the webinar series are expected to happen on the 24th and 29th of June. Each webinar session is mostly attended by focal persons worldwide from the Academe, CSOs, health and safety sector, economic institutions, and research institutions, among others. The LCCS staff has successfully attended the first three webinars of the event through the Zoom platform. By joining such convergence helps the LCC in coming up with policies and guidelines relative to sustained literacy in the country by recognizing and anchoring each intervention to the diverse community needs.
