1. Introducing Education in Emergencies (English)

Summary

Education is a fundamental right for every child, yet over 260 million children worldwide are denied access, especially in emergencies. The impact of crises on education can be devastating, affecting students, teachers, and the wider system. Education in emergencies aims to protect children, ensure continuity of learning, and rebuild educational systems with improved quality and resilience. By providing safe spaces, mobilizing teachers, and integrating community participation, education can serve as a platform for broader recovery, fostering hope and resilience while building inclusive, equitable, and peaceful societies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Every child, regardless of their location or situation, has the right to access quality education, as recognized by human rights frameworks like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• 😀 Over 260 million children aged 3 to 18 worldwide are denied this right, with one-third of them (75 million) affected by humanitarian emergencies and crises.
• 😀 Education in emergencies is vital to uphold children's rights, protect their well-being, and ensure continuity of learning during crises.
• 😀 Emergencies impact education both directly (e.g., harm to students, teachers, displacement) and indirectly (e.g., disruption of the education system).
• 😀 Schools and learning environments are often damaged or destroyed during emergencies, making it harder for children to access education and a safe space.
• 😀 Education in emergencies addresses risks by providing safe spaces, protecting children and teachers, and ensuring continuity of learning and development.
• 😀 It also helps to 'build back better,' improving the quality of education and resilience to future crises.
• 😀 Essential components of an education in emergencies response include providing safe learning spaces, mobilizing teachers, and ensuring access to necessary materials like textbooks.
• 😀 Education activities during emergencies should focus on promoting well-being, meaningful learning, and social cohesion while avoiding reinforcing division or conflict.
• 😀 Community participation is crucial to ensure all children have access to education, while also improving quality and building resilience to future shocks.
• 😀 Coordination with authorities, response actors, and platforms like the education cluster or working group is key to delivering effective education in emergencies responses.

Q & A

What is the main right of every child around the world according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

Every child has the right to access good, quality education, which is a fundamental human right as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

How many children are currently denied access to education globally, and what is the primary cause of this?

Over 260 million children aged 3 to 18 are denied access to education globally, with one-third of these children, or 75 million, being affected by humanitarian emergencies and protracted crises.

What are the direct and indirect impacts of emergencies on education?

Emergencies can harm students, teachers, and their families, cause displacement, and lead to psychological distress. Schools may be damaged or destroyed, and education systems may be disrupted, leading to a lack of access to quality education and denying children the safe, protective space they need.

What is the primary goal of education in emergencies?

The primary goal of education in emergencies is to prevent, mitigate, or address the risks and losses caused by emergencies, ensuring the physical and psychological protection of children and teachers, and maintaining continuity of education to prevent dropout and safeguard progress.

How does education in emergencies aim to build back better?

Education in emergencies offers an opportunity to build back better by improving the quality of education, including excluded populations, and enhancing resilience to future emergencies.

What are some of the key components of an education in emergencies response?

Key components include securing sufficient, safe learning spaces, mobilizing teachers (either through redeployment or recruitment of volunteers), and providing teaching and learning materials. These efforts must also ensure that the content and activities support children's well-being and meaningful learning.

Why is it important to incorporate social and emotional learning in education during emergencies?

Incorporating social and emotional learning, literacy, numeracy, health messaging, and psychosocial support in education during emergencies helps promote children's well-being, aids in their recovery, and ensures that learning activities do not reinforce division or conflict.

What professional support do teachers need in emergency education settings?

Teachers, whether qualified or volunteers, need support to manage their own well-being and their students' well-being. They also require professional development to effectively teach in challenging conditions and manage large classes.

How does education in emergencies integrate with other sectors in humanitarian responses?

Education in emergencies is most effective when part of an integrated program that also addresses other non-education needs, such as hygiene, health, and nutrition, using education as a platform to support broader community recovery.

What is the role of community participation in education in emergencies?

Community participation is essential in all stages of the education in emergencies response. It helps ensure that all children in the community access education and supports quality improvements. Building local capacity and generating community ownership are key to building resilience and preparing for future shocks.