Early childhood education: critical interventions continue during COVID-19

In 2019, World Vision pledged to amplify its work to ensure the right to early childhood development and education for refugee and host communities as part of a shift in focus to a greater emphasis on fragile contexts, to meet the challenges of working with the most vulnerable, including children on the move.

Education in emergencies, including Early Childhood Development (ECD), has been particularly affected by COVID-19 restrictions, especially mass closures of education facilities and lockdowns. These limitations impact World Vision's and peer agencies' ability to meet commitments. The protracted absence of children affected by displacement from quality education services represents one of the greatest child protection risks, now and in the future. In response, World Vision has prioritised a number of initiatives:

1. As part of the World Visions Global COVID-19 Response, World Vision created COVID-19 Guidelines to Education Programming at all levels and grades, including ECD, which is the focus of WV' 's Education pledge.
2. World Vision contributed to Annex 8 of the Safe Back to School Guidance (GEC/CPAoR), that provides programming tips for staff supporting the safe re-opening of schools in the context of the pandemic of COVID-19.
3. Since the GRF, World Vision has joined the Task Force for ECD in Emergencies.
4. World Vision became a member of the technical Working Group of the Geneva-based Hub for Education in Emergencies aiming at elevating the educational needs of children and youth in emergencies with the Geneva diplomatic and Donors' community.
5. World Vision became a member of the Moving Mind Alliance (MMA), joining two of the joint advocacy groups aiming at influencing Donors, humanitarian actors, networks and governments to prioritise ECD in crisis setting, scaling up financing, and strengthening policies and leadership.

Resources:

1. Education Sector: We believe education starts on day one
2. World Vision membership in The Moving Mind Alliance
3. Returning Back to School Guidance: Safe back to school resources English | Child Protection