The education sector in the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) stressed the need to unify the decision regarding resuming the educational process or not in all Palestinian governorates, considering the safety of students and ensuring the provision of a safe educational environment.

This came during an emergency meeting held by the education sector of the network in Gaza and Ramallah with the participation of representatives from a large number PNGO member organizations, the educational coalition and other umbrella networks to discuss the measures to be taken in light of the state of emergency declared to face the spread of the Coronavirus threat and the impact of this announcement on the educational process including the newly created challenges and the role the NGOs play in these circumstances.

Taking the best interests of children, teachers, and workers into consideration should be done when declaring any decision regarding going back to school or not, the attendees of the meeting asserted.

They also confirmed the need of making a partnership between educational institutions and the Ministry of Education and coordinating efforts in a manner that enhances the ability of all to develop a comprehensive plan of action to deal with the current conditions, especially raising awareness and educating children about the risks and ways of prevention from the virus, and finding ways to provide psychological support services for students to prevent them from panicking and fear.

That being said, the meeting demanded to launch intensive educational awareness campaigns for children and school students on Coronavirus in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The education sector in the Palestinian NGOs Network expressed that the above recommendations should be taken into consideration, as they ensure reducing the challenges and risks facing our society, and that they guarantee the best interests of children, students, teachers and workers.