KUALA LUMPUR: The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is working closely with the Ministry of Education Malaysia to reimagine education, especially for the most marginalised children wherever they are.
Representative for UNICEF in Malaysia and Special Representative to Brunei Darussalam, Dr Rashed Mustafa Sarwar said the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on children's lives, disrupting familiar patterns and impacting their education and mental health.
"We need to develop and strengthen digital and remote learning, Internet connectivity, affordable data and devices, and engagement so that children have the skills they need for the future.
"We acknowledge that these are difficult decisions. UNICEF stands ready to continue to support the government with technical advice and co-create solutions to safeguard the future of every child in Malaysia.
"This is also an opportunity for the education system in Malaysia to build back better," he said in a statement here today
On the reopening of schools on March 1, Rashed Mustafa said UNICEF welcomed and fully supported the government's decision to reopen schools, as it would allow students to access all sorts of provisions like psychosocial support and nutrition, besides education.
"The school is a microcosm of society, it is a safe space for all children. Schools reopening will allow students to access these services, and to learn, connect and play with their friends again.
"The longer children remain out of school, the greater the learning loss and irreversible harm for them," he added.
He said as a priority, teachers and school personnel should be vaccinated against COVID-19, once frontline health workers and high-risk groups were vaccinated, in order to protect them from the virus, thus allowing them to teach in person, and ultimately keep schools open.
Rashed Mustafa said UNICEF, together with other UN agencies, have also produced a multi-sectoral guide to reopen schools safely and the framework for reopening schools could be accessed at https://www.unicef.org/sites/default/files/2020-06/Framework-for-reopening-schools-2020.pdf.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Feb 23 2021
COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on children's lives, disrupting familiar patterns and impacting their education and mental health. - File picture
Wedding content creation the big thing now for newlyleds
A wedding content creator's success does not rely solely in tech but in capturing emotions and bringing a couples love story to life.
Will Western companies return to Russia?
Easing restrictions could let some companies return to what was once a high-growth market under Trump's administration.
Chatbots pose challenge to guarding child mental health
Developers say AI companions can combat loneliness and improve users' social experiences in a safe space.
With blitz of policies, Trump goes beyond Project 2025's goals
Trump denies ties to Project 2025 but continues reshaping policies through executive power.
Almost half of chronic kidney patients in Malaysia lost their jobs - study
The study raises concerns about the future of chronic kidney patients, especially those who rely on long-term dialysis treatment.
Beware of scam tactics using AI
The drastic development of AI technology is being taken advantage of by scammers to reap huge profits by using various latest tactics.
Fired and rehired - the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul
They have adopted a blunt force approach toward the wholesale firing of workers, often focusing on workers who are easier to fire.
Arab states scramble to counter Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' plan
Arab states trying to devise an alternative plan have yet to tackle critical issues like who will foot the bill for Gaza's reconstruction.
Chinese universities launch DeepSeek courses to capitalise on AI boom
Universities across China have launched artificial intelligence courses this month based on Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.
Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.
Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.
Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.
Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.
Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.
Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.
Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.
185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.
IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.
Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.