To help curb the disruption to children’s education and keep children learning safely, UNICEF has allocated additional funding to accelerate work with governments and partners in more than 145 low- and middle-income countries. The initial global allocation of US $13 million will be catalytic by supporting national governments and a wide range of education partners in each country to develop plans to enable a rapid, system-wide response, IPN reports.

According to a press release of UNICEF Moldova, the initiative will enable countries to prepare alternative learning programs in the case of school closures and help schools keep children and their communities safe by providing vital information on handwashing and other hygiene practices. The funds will also help support children’s mental health and prevent stigma and discrimination by encouraging students to avoid stereotypes when talking about the virus.

“Schools in the majority of countries worldwide have closed. It is an unprecedented situation and unless we collectively act now to protect children’s education, societies and economies will feel the burden long after we’ve beaten COVID-19. In the most vulnerable communities, the impact will span generations,” said Robert Jenkins, UNICEF Global Chief of Education.

In all 145 countries, UNICEF will work with partners to support governments’ crisis response plans including technical assistance, rapid risk analysis, data collection, and planning for the reopening of schools. It will also support the planning and implementation of safe school operation and will ensure continuity of learning and access to remote learning programs including designing and preparing alternative education programs through online, radio and television.