Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Africa Health Officials Call for Children to Return to School

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - Experts from the World Health Organization and the
   United Nations Children's Emergency Fund say it's urgent and essential
   that children across the African continent return to school soon, and
   safely. To that end, the U.N. agencies have formulated guidelines to
   make school openings safer on the continent.
   Across the African continent, hundreds of millions of children have
   been shut out of school as governments have imposed coronavirus
   restrictions by closing educational institutions.
   But top global health officials say that after nearly six months of
   disruption, it's time to get back to school. A recent survey by the
   World Health Organization found that schools are fully open in only six
   of 39 countries surveyed. About a dozen countries, including South
   Africa, plan to resume in-person learning in September.
   Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's regional director for Africa, said the
   decision to reopen schools is not an easy one for health experts,
   administrators or parents, but it's the right one.
   "The decision to open schools or not amid the pandemic is a difficult
   one. But we must find the right balance to avoid trading one adversity
   for another. The longer the children are out of school, the greater the
   risk that they may not return to school. School closures are
   potentially exacerbating risks of teenage pregnancies, of violence
   against children, of substance abuse, of anxiety, loneliness and
   isolation," Moeti said.

.