UNICEF calls on nations to reopen schools

The United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF) has called on education authorities to reopen schools as soon as possible, in countries where millions of students are allowed to go to their classrooms for 18 months amidst the covid-19 pandemic.

Highlights

• Schools in about 17 countries remained fully closed, whereas, schools in 39 countries remained partially closed.
• Schools across Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Panama and Kuwait, which is usually attended by around 77 million students, are in “almost completely closed” list. Pupils from these six countries represent more than half of 131 million students worldwide, who have missed more than three-quarters of the in-person learning.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is also called as “United Nations Children’s Fund”. It is a United Nations agency that provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. It is among most widespread and recognizable social welfare organizations. It is present in 192 countries and territories. UNICEF’s activities comprise of providing immunizations & disease prevention, enhancing childhood & maternal nutrition, administering treatment for children & mothers with HIV, improving sanitation, providing emergency relief in response to disaster and promoting education.

Background

UNICEF is the successor of “United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund”. It was created on December 11, 1946, in New York. U.N. Relief Rehabilitation Administration had created this in order to provide immediate relief to the children and mothers affected by World War II. It became a permanent part of United Nations System in 1953.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2021