Unicef: 77 million children still out of school due to the pandemic

Share

September 16, 2021 Eighteen months after the start of the covid-19 pandemic, schools in about 17 countries remain

, while those in 39 countries remain

, according to a report published by UNICEF. Among the "almost completely closed" schools, those attended by almost 77 million students in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Panama and Kuwait.

The worst situation is recorded in the Philippines, a country that is fighting one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Asia as the new school year began this week.

To call attention to a year and a half of lost learning, the potential delayed and the uncertain future, and to urge governments to reopen schools as soon as possible, Unicef ​​and partners

, protest to which the Italian representation of the UN agency for children also adheres.

According to the UNICEF study,

they are among the countries that have kept schools closed the longest. In total, it is estimated that 131 million students in 11 countries have lost more than three-quarters of face-to-face classes and about 27% of countries around the world continue to have schools fully or partially closed. "While distance learning has been a lifeline for millions of schoolchildren,

have been unequal even within communities and school districts" in poor countries, he points out. the agency .. 

UNICEF director general, 

, argues that "the losses students are suffering by not going to school may never be recovered".

Not attending school in the presence causes further damage: "in addition to being left behind with education, many children miss

and

, experience social isolation and anxiety, and also risk being

. For some, school closures have led to dropout,

and

. Many parents have been unable to continue working while balancing care and support needs. their children's learning: some have lost their jobs altogether, pushing their families into poverty and creating a deeper economic crisis. "