Provision of School Bags

Context and Issue

At the outset of 2021, COVID-19 lockdowns left classrooms empty worldwide, resulting in an unprecedented loss of in-person learning for children. Recognizing the urgent need to support education amid the pandemic, UNICEF took swift action to ensure the safe reopening of schools and mitigate the impact of disruptions on children's learning. Throughout the year, UNICEF provided essential supplies to enable governments and education authorities to reopen schools safely. This support included the provision of thermometers, personal protective equipment (PPE), and hygiene supplies, such as hand sanitiser, soap, and disinfectant. UNICEF also facilitated the installation or refurbishing handwashing facilities in schools, which is crucial for maintaining hygiene protocols. As a symbol of support for children's education, UNICEF distributed nearly 1.3 million cyan blue backpacks to Africa, Central Asia, and Latin America in 2021. These backpacks, carrying essential school supplies, represent a tangible commitment to children's right to education, particularly in countries facing emergencies. In Yemen, facing a seven-year-long conflict, children entering school have known nothing but turmoil. With 70% of the population requiring humanitarian assistance and millions internally displaced, the education sector faced immense challenges. Despite the resumption of in-person learning by October 2020, nearly 3,000 schools were rendered unfit for use due to destruction, damage, or occupation.

Solution

To address the education crisis in Yemen, UNICEF introduced a tailored school bag kit for Yemeni children. Developed in consultation with Yemeni education authorities, the kit includes backpacks filled with pens, pencils, exercise books, and other essential stationery supplies. This initiative aims to support children's access to education and reaffirm their importance, especially in the face of conflict-related adversity.

Insights

UNICEF's swift response to the education crisis exacerbated by COVID-19 and ongoing conflicts underscores its commitment to ensuring every child's right to learn, grow, and thrive. Through targeted interventions and partnerships with local authorities, UNICEF continues to make significant strides in safeguarding children's education, even in the most challenging contexts like Yemen.

Provisions such as School bags provide a cushion to families that face economic burdens and motivate them to send their children to school. The reduction in the burden may motivate the parents to help eliminate the barriers to access to education for students who belong to disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. In the context of conflict, such interventions play a vital role in the learning continuity for children affected by conflict.