World Children’s Day: UNICEF India calls for safe school reopening, learning recovery

NEW DELHI: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for safe reopening of schools and helping children recover learning on the 32nd World Children’s Day on November 20.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to children’s education, with schools closed for long periods across India. Children are losing a lot more than just education – they have lost time with their teachers and friends, nutritious school meals and in some cases – a safe haven that prevents abuse and violence,” an official statement said.

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The theme for this year’s World Children’s Day is to help children to recover from interruptions and learning losses experienced through the COVID-19 pandemic in the last two years. UNICEF India along with its partners have listed down a series of events between November 14 and 20, 2021, both virtually and physically, to bring light to this issue.

Events

November 14-20: Pandemic classroom installation

A pandemic classroom will be installed at Open Amphitheatre, Select City Walk Mall, Saket that will highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s education, learning and well-being. The week-long installation will be inaugurated on November 14 by Yasumasa Kimura, UNICEF India Representative a.i. and two adolescents. The installation puts a spotlight on the need to urgently reopen schools safely to avert a lost generation and make up for what children have missed out - from learning to social interaction etc.

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November 18: Launch of Changing Childhood Project Report – a landmark poll

UNICEF will release findings of The Changing Childhood Project - a landmark poll by UNICEF and Gallup that asked multiple generations for their views on the world and what it is like to be a child today. For the project, more than 21,000 people between 15-24 years old and 40 years old and up were surveyed in 21 countries, including India.

UNICEF India will release the India findings as part of a press release covering a wide variety of topics including the digital divide and inter-generational differences.

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November 19-20: Iconic buildings and historic monuments to #GoBlue

Monuments across the country – from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, North and South Block, and Qutub Minar in New Delhi, and other historical buildings, landmarks and iconic government building across India – will be lit up in blue lights on November 19-20, signifying the nation-wide celebration of child rights and to put the spotlight on Learning Recovery.

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November 20: Charter of Demands presented to Parliamentarians on prioritizing children’s education and their recovery

UNICEF India in partnership with the Parliamentarians’ Group for Children (PGC) will organize a Parliament with Children on November 20, 2021, in the presence of Members of Parliament. PGC is a platform that convenes, informs and engages Members of Parliament on issues of children's rights. At the event, children will present their demands to reopen schools.