UNICEF Warns Against Shutting Down Of Schools

The United Nations Children’s Fund has warned that the continual closure of schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will only adversely affect the development, safety and well-being of children globally.

While also noting that schools are not drivers of the viral disease, it cautioned that the effects of closing schools for another year will have a negative impact on the coming generations.

In a statement released by the agency on Tuesday, January 14, it reiterated that despite having a devastating proof that schools were not diffusers of the deadly pandemic, steps have however been taken to ensure that they remained shut.

According to the agency, schools must be among the first in the case of lockdowns to reopen once authorities start lifting restrictions.

The UN agency noted that the number of out-of-school children is set to rise by 24 million to a level not yet seen in years and to a level it has fought so hard to become.