The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations children’s agency have urged African governments to promote the safe reopening of schools during the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They say prolonged closure of schools is harmful to students and want governments to invest in sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of coronavirus in learning institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two organisations said students are being exposed to poor nutrition, teenage pregnancies and violence during this extended stay-at-home period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Schools in Africa are a “safe haven” for children, according to the WHO Regional Director Matshidiso Moeti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We must not be blind-sided by our efforts to contain Covid-19 and end up with a lost generation. Just as countries are opening businesses safely, we can reopen schools,” she said during a virtual press briefing on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The long closure of schools poses a risk to the future of children and their communities, according to Unicef Regional Director Mohamed Fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only six African countries have fully opened schools, according to a survey of 39 countries by the WHO and Unicef.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some countries reopened schools and closed them soon after because of a surge in coronavirus cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Others have reopened for final year students to sit for crucial examinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Countries like Kenya have completely scrapped the 2020 academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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