The Global Education Cluster has produced a guide called Safe Back to School, which says the countries should give students a say about their return to school.
The coronavirus hit the education systems all over the world and the school closures left the children more vulnerable to violence, child labour, etc. But it can also mean an opportunity for schools to be better after re-opening but to achieve it, children have to be involved in planning processes.
According to educational experts, children have the right to be involved in decision-making as the process will have an impact on them. Children can encourage and mobilize each other, furthermore the accurate information is ensured by asking for their opinion concerning re-opening of educational institutions.
It is important that key messages must be child-friendly and age-appropriate to help children talking about their feelings. A similar situation was in Indonesia earlier when because of an earthquake hundreds of schools was damaged, and a boy asked the local government to build the new schools made of wood to eliminate fears of being hit by concrete. It properly shows how important to involve the concerned children in decision-making.
Key Principles for Safe Back to School
- An integrated approach
- Gender, inclusion and accessibility
- Build on existing structures
- Child & youth participation
- Whole school community
- Build back resilient