UNICEF has set up a poignant installation in New York City to draw attention to the staggering number of children not attending school due to the ongoing pandemic. As the world approaches the one-year mark of remote learning, many families are grappling with the impact of another year away from the classroom. UNICEF urges governments globally to prioritize the safe return of students to in-person education. The installation, dubbed the “pandemic classroom,” features 168 vacant desks and backpacks symbolizing the 168 million children worldwide whose schools have been closed since last March.
“168 empty desks. 168 unused backpacks. 168 million futures at stake,” UNICEF communicated via social media. This installation at the United Nations serves as a stark reminder of the global education crisis. The displayed desks and backpacks represent the countless children whose education has been disrupted for nearly a year due to COVID-19. UNICEF’s message to world leaders is unequivocal: every effort must be made to reopen schools.
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We cannot afford to enter a second year of limited or no in-person learning for these children. Prioritizing schools in reopening plans is essential.” Although UNICEF offers guidelines for safely reopening schools, the situation in the U.S. appears to be complicated by varying state regulations. Criticism has arisen over states like New York allowing indoor dining while keeping schools closed, and concerns have been voiced regarding the CDC’s stance on reopening without vaccinating teachers first. Currently, only 4% of school-age children reside in areas meeting the CDC’s criteria for safe full-time in-person learning. On a positive note, vaccination efforts are increasing, and COVID-19 cases are declining, but clarity is still needed on how the U.S. will ensure the safe reopening of schools.
“As we near the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the severe educational emergency caused by lockdowns is ever more evident. With each passing day, children without access to in-person education are falling further behind, with the most disadvantaged facing the harshest consequences,” Fore added. In March 2020, few could have predicted that we would find ourselves in this situation a year later. So, what actions will our leaders take?
If you’re looking for more insights, check out our other blog posts, such as this one on pregnancy options. For those interested in home insemination, this site provides valuable information on the subject, including resources for artificial insemination kits that can be found here.