Today, over 115,000 girls and boys went Back to Learning in the schools of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jordan. Due to the health crisis, created by the COVID-19 pandemic, UNRWA schools are opening their doors to students in line with the health and safety regulations of the Government of Jordan. Along with health and safety measures, social distancing - in the corridors, playgrounds and classrooms – is being implemented. With the limited resources of UNRWA, this can be only be achieved through a blended education approach, where classes are split, with half the children learning at home and the other half in school, in rotation.
“I am very happy to attend the first day of school with UNRWA students,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. “This is not just any ‘Back to School’! This is Back to Learning, despite a global pandemic and a lot of uncertainty and several months of lockdown. But this a moment of celebration: celebrating the perseverance of our students and of our teaching staff. They have never stopped believing in the power of education and have not left anyone behind, even during lockdowns and closures.”
