Some 18 national and international development organisations have joined the ‘Safe Back to School’ (SB2S) campaign following the government’s decision to reopen schools after almost 18 months of closure.
The platforms also pledged their full support to the safe opening of educational institutions across the country, according to a press release issued by Save the Children on Wednesday.
Giving the highest priority to children's education, the ‘Safe Back to School’ (SB2S) campaign is working in line with government guidelines for students’ safe return to school.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni inaugurated the 'Safe Back to School’ (SB2S) campaign on February 10 2021, though the educational institutions could not be opened due to the deteriorating Covid-19 situation.
The campaign aims to support the government to prepare children, families, parents and educational institutions to restart the educational activities so that students can return to the safest school environment possible.
Due to prolonged school closure, children did not receive proper learning and could not interact with their peers, which have affected their education experience.
Many children have experienced the consequences of school closures – loss of learning, mental distress, heightened risk of dropout, child labour, and child marriage.
Besides, they, especially the youngest and marginalised ones, could not access online or remote learning opportunities due to technological limitations and poor learning environments.
Taking this into consideration, the campaign urges the government to develop and implement effective plans in the coming days to address the losses incurred, the press release added.
The organisations that have joined the campaign are: BRAC, CAMPE, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Educo Bangladesh, FIVDB, Friendship, Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh, Handicap International- Humanity and Inclusion, Jagorani Chakra Foundation, Plan International Bangladesh, Room to Read Bangladesh, Save the Children in Bangladesh, Sesame Workshop Bangladesh, Stromme Foundation, Teach for Bangladesh, VSO, World Vision Bangladesh and Young Power in Social Action.
