UNICEF: All schools should remain open and made safer from COVID-19

Sofia, 9 September, 2021. All schools should stay open and safe in-person education by adopting measures to minimize COVID-19 transmission should be a main priority. This is UNICEF’s position on the upcoming new school year in Bulgaria.

According to UNICEF, schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen. Today, at the Ministry of Education and Science UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria Christina de Bruin met with Minister Prof. Nikolay Denkov. In schools, we need measures to protect children and teachers and ensure an attendance process as long as possible, the ministry says.

According to UNICEF, it is vital that classroom-based learning continues uninterrupted. This is of paramount importance for children’s education, learning, mental health and social-emotional wellbeing.

‘Educating children safely in a physical school setting must remain our primary objective, so we don't rob them of the opportunities they deserve. We encourage the authorities to keep schools open and urge all schools to put in place measures to minimize the risk of COVID-19 and the spread of different variants’, says UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria Christina de Bruin.

Data clearly shows that receiving a full COVID-19 vaccination series significantly reduces the risk of severe disease and death, the UN Children’s Fund points out.

In addition to the return of the children to school, the issue with the children outside the educational system and at risk of dropping out was also discussed at the meeting. If schools are closed again, this group of children will be put at even greater risk, UNICEF says.

Prof. Denkov assured that children outside the educational system are a key priority for the Ministry, and in his words there is still need to improve interinstitutional work at all levels in order to cover all children. UNICEF supports the Ministry of Education to improve the process of identification and support for children who are not covered, dropped out or at risk of dropping out, as well as providing team trainings.