Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for concerted efforts to mitigate the immediate and long-term adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on education.
Abubakar made the call in a statement signed by his media assistant Paul Ibe in Abuja on Wednesday to mark Children’s Day 2021.
The former vice president said it is everyone’s responsibility as a society to ensure that children reach their full potential in life.
He expressed concern that efforts to make life easier and better for children were yielding appalling results, noting that this had not been helped by the ongoing global pandemic ravaging the world.
He said COVID-19 has resulted in the partial or complete shutdown of many schools as the world struggles to reduce the spread and find a cure for the deadly disease.
Abubakar recalled a report released in March by the Save the Children Network, which found that: “Children around the world have lost an average of one-third (74 days) of education each due to school closures and lack of education. ‘access to distance learning.’
According to him, the report, also corroborated by the conclusions of UNESCO, concludes that: “nearly half of the world’s students are out of school in the world due to partial or complete school closures linked to the coronavirus pandemic “.
“It is a reminder that a lot of work is needed in this direction to mitigate the immediate and long-term harmful effects of the pandemic on education at all levels, but above all, those of children.
“Education is the foundation of any society, and the pandemic is a wake-up call for administrators and leaders at all levels to do more, by building infrastructure and making educational materials available in schools. teaching.
“It is the responsibility of leaders to create a safe environment for the little ones, and it is the duty of parents to instill good behavior and high moral values in children.”
The former vice president congratulated the children on the memorable day set aside for their celebration.
He urged them to be good ambassadors for their parents and their country wherever they are.
He wished them every success in their careers and in their future endeavors. (NOPE)
(NAN)
