Education in Emergencies: UNICEF Overview

Introduction

• Education is crucial for children in crises as it provides stability and routine, helping them cope with trauma.
• Global conflicts, epidemics, and natural disasters threaten children's access to education and basic needs.

Key Challenges

• A significant increase in global conflicts affecting children over the last 30 years.
• 35 million children have been displaced worldwide, with half of school-age refugee children out of school.
• Girls in conflict zones are 2.5 times more likely to be out of school than those in stable regions.

Importance of Education in Emergencies

• Schools provide safety from abuse, exploitation, and recruitment into armed groups.
• Acts as a center for lifesaving resources like food, water, healthcare, and hygiene supplies.
• Offers psychological support and a sense of normalcy.
• Education contributes to economic growth, poverty reduction, and social stability.

Challenges in Crisis Settings

• Education often suspended first and restored last in crises.
• Education receives less than 3% of humanitarian aid.
• Shortages in teaching staff and resources hinder education delivery.
• Data gaps and coordination challenges affect effective crisis response.

UNICEF's Role in Education During Emergencies

• UNICEF prioritizes uninterrupted education for children in crises, focusing on vulnerable groups.
• Provides safe, child-friendly learning spaces with necessary amenities.
• Trains teachers and supplies educational materials.
• Collaborates with governments to reinforce disaster risk reduction in education.
• Advocates for safeguarding educational environments through policies like the Safe Schools Declaration.

Key Initiatives and Resources

• Mission: Recovery Education - Partnership with the US Government to resume education in crisis areas.
• GIGA - Initiative to connect schools to the internet, reducing the digital divide.
• Education Uprooted - Advocacy for education for displaced children requiring funding and creativity.

Tools and Guidance

• Checklist for Learning Recovery - Guide for education recovery post-crisis.
• Education in Emergencies Global Course - Online course for foundational knowledge in crisis education.
• Response Analysis Tool - Guide on cash and voucher use in educational outcomes during emergencies.
• Risk-Informed Education Programming - Guidance to adapt policies for resilient education systems.

Global Support Frameworks

• Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack - Research on attacks against educational institutions.
• Education Cannot Wait - Fund dedicated to education in emergencies.
• Accelerated Education Working Group - Resources for designing and adapting Accelerated Education Programmes.

Conclusion

Education is a critical component for child development and societal stability during emergencies. UNICEF’s comprehensive approach ensures continuity and safety in education, advocating for systemic support and resources to protect the educational rights of children globally.