COVID-19:WHO Urges African Countries To Reopen Schools In Adherence To Safety Measures

     

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged African countries to put in place adequate COVID-19 prevention measures  ahead of reopening of learning institutions.

WHO in a statement released in Nairobi indicated that reopening of schools in the Sub-Saharan African region should be accompanied by strict adherence to protocols and guidelines meant to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

“Just as countries are reopening businesses safely, we can reopen schools,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

This decision must be guided by a thorough risk analysis to ensure the safety of children, teachers and parents and with key measures such as physical distancing put in place, she indicated.

A recent survey conducted by WHO in 39 Sub-Saharan African countries showed that schools were open fully in six countries, closed in 14 and partially open in 19 to enable students to do examinations.

More than 10 African countries are planning to recommence in-person learning in September, which marks the beginning of the academic year.

Moeti acknowledged that reopening of schools is crucial to boosting physical, mental and emotional health of children, adding that adequate safeguards must be in place to limit the risk of contracting COVID-19.

“Schools provide a safe haven for many children in challenging circumstances to develop and thrive. We must not be blind-sided by our efforts to stop COVID-19 and end up with a lost generation,” stated Moeti.

The UN children’s fund (UNICEF) stated that extended school closures have increased the vulnerability of African children to hunger, malnutrition, depression and sexual violence.

A survey carried out by UNICEF in eastern and southern Africa found that violence against children had spiked during the prolonged school closures while about 10 million minors were deprived of free meals.

Recommendations from WHO and UNICEF stressed the need for African learning institutions to assure social distancing, hand washing and waste management to avoid that their reopening does not compromise the health of students.