WHO on why school resumption is important for kids | Economic Times

Countries need to consider graded and gradual reopening of schools as closure for a long time is impacting not only education but also the social and mental well-being of children, World Health Organization South East Asia regional director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh told ET in an exclusive interview. At a time when state governments are considering whether to reopen schools after 18 months of Covid-19 outbreak, Singh told ET that like other sectors, school reopening needs to be considered. “It is over a year and a half and the pandemic is still around. We do not know how long this will continue. Hence, like other sectors, we need to consider graded or gradual reopening of our schools. This is already being done in many countries. Closure of schools for a long time is not only impacting education, but also the development, social and mental well-being of children and adolescents,” she said. Singh said three important factors needed to be considered –– risk assessment, risk mitigation and the fact that children needed to study. “… Risk assessment is key to any decision to strengthen or ease public health and social measures. Second is risk mitigation. Measures to control virus transmission in school settings should be specific to the needs of different age groups. The overall strategy should aim at limiting contact between children by reducing class size or staggering classes; ensuring enough facilities for hand wash with running water and supplies of soap; wearing of masks; sufficient and adequate toilet facilities; and enhancing fresh air ventilation… The third important factor is the need for children to continue to study. While it is of utmost importance to contain the pandemic, children must also be able to continue to study. At the local level, this educational need should be weighed against the risk of further spread of the virus. Digital technology might provide solutions, but not everywhere,” she said. At a time when France and Germany are giving booster doses, Singh told ET that countries needed to prioritise vaccinating the most vulnerable population. “The evidence is not yet clear if booster dose may be needed. WHO is following it closely. WHO has called for a moratorium on Covid-19 booster shots until a more fair distribution of vaccines can protect the world’s most vulnerable people,” she said. India has followed the WHO-prescribed vaccination strategy to cover as many people with at least one vaccine dose.