Conflicts, natural disasters and pandemics keep millions of children out of school and the numbers are rising. In crisis-affected countries, school-age children are more than twice as likely to be out of school as their peers in other countries (UNESCO, 2017). There are several policy documents and frameworks aimed at developing education systems that are more resilient and responsive in the face of conflict, social unrest and natural hazards – and to ensure that education is maintained during emergency, conflict and post-conflict situations. One such document is the Education 2030 Framework for Action.
There are also practical tools with the potential to support systems for education in emergencies. One such example is Aputs, which is provided by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). Aptus is an off-grid, off-line virtual classroom that allows teachers and students in regions with no internet connectivity to benefit from digital resources and learning networks. This can be particularly effective when combined with the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) as well as Open, Distance and Flexible Learning (ODL) practices.
A low tech, but non-the-less effective and practical solution is School-in-a-Box, developed by UNICEF. The School-in-a-Box has become part of the UNICEF standard response in emergencies, used in many back-to-school operations around the world. The kit contains supplies and materials for a teacher and up to 40 students. The purpose of the kit is to ensure the continuation of children’s education by the first 72 hours of an emergency. School-in-a-box was recently deployed in Dominica, in the aftermath of hurricane Maria in 2017.
We have compiled a set of resources below to help teachers and education ministries to build their capacity and become more resilient and responsive in emergency situations.
Recommended Resources
1Education Cannot Wait: a fund for education in emergencies
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
2 Minimum Standards for Education: Preparedness, Response, Recovery
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
4 Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies: A community of practice, a catalyst for change
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
6 Education in Emergencies: Best Practices and Lessons Learned (Recorded webinar)
Education in Emergencies: Best Practices and Lessons Learned
7 Education in Emergencies – A Resource Tool Kit
UNICEF
8 EU-UNICEF Education in Emergencies: #EmergencyLessons Campaign Toolkit
EU-UNICEF
9 Guidebook for planning education in emergencies and reconstruction
UNESCO
10 Guide To Education In Natural Disasters: How Usaid Supports Education In Crises
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
11 ECHO Factsheet – Education in Emergencies November 2017
European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO)
12 Education in Emergencies Certificate of Advanced Studies
Save the Children
13 Left Behind: Refugee Education In Crisis – Chapter 1 Education in emergencies
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
14 Education in Emergencies: Resources and Publications
Plan International
15 (Spanish) – Learning and recovering in emergency situations: Launch of support guides for the educational sector | (English) – Coming soon
UNESCO
Cover photo: Derived from ‘Education Cannot Wait – The Need‘ infographic. Credit: ODI
