First day of school delayed for 140 million children: UNICEF analysis

In a new analysis UNICEF has highlighted that the first day of school has got delayed for an estimated 140 million children globally because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Out of this, for an estimated eight million students, the wait for in-person learning has been more than a year as schools have remained close throughout the pandemic.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said, “The first day of school is a landmark moment in a child’s life — setting them off on a life-changing path of personal learning and growth. Most of us can remember countless minor details – what clothes we wore, our teacher’s name, who we sat next to. But for millions of children, that important day has been indefinitely postponed.”

Many children are facing second year of disruption of education which is unprecedented. Due to closed schools, over 247 million children in India, have been studying from home since March 2020. The closure has not only resulted in learning loss but children have also missed out mid-day meals resulting in nutritional loss affecting physical as well as mental health.

UNICEF has called for the reopening of schools for in-person learning as early as it is possible as despite the worldwide attempts, 29 per cent primary students were not able to participate in remote learning and further disruptions of studies should not happen.