CONTENTS
I. FACTS ABOUT COVID-19
• COVID-19
• Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)
II. INTRODUCTION
III. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND STAFF
• Key Messages & Actions
• Checklist
IV. PARENTS/CAREGIVERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
• Key Messages & Actions
• Checklist
V. STUDENTS AND CHILDREN
• Checklist
• Age-specific health education
- Preschool
- Primary School
- Lower Secondary School
- Upper Secondary School
ANNEXES (TO FOLLOW SHORTLY IN AN UPDATED DOCUMENT, INDICATIVE CONTENT BELOW)
A. Supply Recommendations
B. Important considerations
o Contextualizing guidance at country level (vulnerable populations)
o Operationalizing guidance (dissemination and implementation)
o Monitoring
C. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
o MHPSS Key Messages
D. Resources & Additional Information
o Sample Posters
I. FACTS ABOUT COVID-19
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and
‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’
The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause
pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. These symptoms are similar to
the flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19. This is why testing
is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19.
How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated
through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from and touching surfaces
contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). The COVID-19 virus may
survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.
Who is most at risk?
We are learning more about how COVID-19 affects people every day. Older people, and people with
chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, appear to be more at risk of developing
severe symptoms. As this is a new virus, we are still learning about how it affects children. We know it is
possible for people of any age to be infected with the virus, but so far there are relatively few cases of
COVID-19 reported among children. This is a new virus and we need to learn more about how it affects
children. The virus can be fatal in rare cases, so far mainly among older people with pre-existing medical
conditions.
What is the treatment for COVID-19?
There is no currently available vaccine for COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated
and getting early care from a healthcare provider can make the disease less dangerous. There are
several clinical trials that are being conducted to evaluate potential therapeutics for COVID-19.
How can the spread of COVID-19 be slowed down or prevented?
As with other respiratory infections like the flu or the common cold, public health measures are critical to
slow the spread of illnesses. Public health measures are everyday preventive actions that include:
✓ staying home when sick;
✓ covering mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of
used tissue immediately;
✓ washing hands often with soap and water; and
✓ cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.
As we learn more about COVID-19 public health officials may recommend additional actions.
II. INTRODUCTION
The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern (PHEIC) and the virus has now spread to many countries and territories. While a lot
is still unknown about the virus that causes COVID-19, we do know that it is transmitted through direct
contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing)
Individuals can also be infected from touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their
face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). While COVID-19 continues to spread it is important that communities take
action to prevent further transmission, reduce the impacts of the outbreak and support control measures.
The protection of children and educational facilities is particularly important. Precautions are necessary to
prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school settings; however, care must also be taken to avoid
stigmatizing students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important to remember that
COVID-19 does not differentiate between borders, ethnicities, disability status, age or gender. Education
settings should continue to be welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environments to all.
Measures taken by schools can prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff who may
have been exposed to the virus, while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from
discrimination.
Purpose
Today, children and young people are global citizens, powerful agents of change and the next generation
of caregivers, scientists, and doctors. Any crisis presents the opportunity to help them learn, cultivate
compassion and increase resilience while building a safer and more caring community. Having
information and facts about COVID-19 will help diminish students’ fears and anxieties around the disease
and support their ability to cope with any secondary impacts in their lives. This guidance provides key
messages and considerations for engaging school administrators, teachers and staff, parents, caregivers
and community members, as well as children themselves in promoting safe and healthy schools.
The purpose of this document is to provide clear and actionable guidance for safe operations through the
prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in schools and other educational facilities. The
guidance, while specific to countries that have already confirmed the transmission of COVID-19, is still
relevant in all other contexts. Education can encourage students to become advocates for disease
prevention and control at home, in school, and in their community by talking to others about how to
prevent the spread of viruses. Maintaining safe school operations or reopening schools after a closure
requires many considerations but, if done well, can promote public health.
III. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND
STAFF
Basic principles
Following basic principles can help keep students, teachers, and staff safe at school and help stop the
spread of this disease. Recommendations for healthy schools are:
• Sick students, teachers and other staff should not come to school
• Schools should enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, alcohol rub/hand
sanitizer or chlorine solution and, at a minimum, daily disinfection and cleaning of school
surfaces
• Schools should provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities and follow
environmental cleaning and decontamination procedures
• Schools should promote social distancing (a term applied to certain actions that are taken to
slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease, including limiting large groups of people
coming together)
Know the latest facts
Understand basic information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including its symptoms,
complications, how it is transmitted and how to prevent transmission. Stay informed about COVID-19
through reputable sources such as UNICEF, WHO and national health ministry advisories. Be aware
of fake information/myths that may circulate by word-of-mouth or online.
Ensure safe school operations
See ‘Checklist on Safe School Environments’ below
Update or develop school emergency and contingency plans. Work with officials to guarantee schools
are not used as shelters, treatment units, etc. Consider cancelling any community events/meetings
that usually take place on school premises, based on risk.
Reinforce frequent handwashing and sanitation and procure needed supplies. Prepare and maintain
handwashing stations with soap and water, and if possible, place alcohol-based hand rub (hand
sanitizers) in each classroom, at entrances and exits, and near lunchrooms and toilets.
Clean and disinfect school buildings, classrooms and especially water and sanitation facilities at least
once a day, particularly surfaces that are touched by many people (railings, lunch tables, sports
equipment, door and window handles, toys, teaching and learning aids etc.)
Implement social distancing practices that may include:
• Staggering the beginning and end of the school day
• Cancelling assemblies, sports games and other events that create crowded conditions
• When possible, create space for children’s desks to be at least one metre apart
• Teach and model creating space and avoiding unnecessary touching.
Establish procedures if students or staff become unwell
Plan ahead with local health authorities, school health staff and update emergency contact lists.
Ensure a procedure for separating sick students and staff from those who are well – without creating
stigma – and a process for informing parents/caregivers, and consulting with health care
providers/health authorities wherever possible. Students/staff may need to be referred directly to a
health facility, depending on the situation/context, or sent home. Share procedures with staff, parents
and students ahead of time.
Promote information sharing
Coordinate and follow guidelines from the national health and education authorities. Share known
information with staff, caregivers and students, providing updated information on the disease situation,
including prevention and control efforts at school. Reinforce that caregivers should alert the school and
health care authorities if someone in their home has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and keep their
child at home. Utilize parent-teacher committees and other mechanisms to promote information
sharing. Also be sure to address children’s questions and concerns, including through the
development of child-friendly materials such as posters which can be placed on notice boards, in
restrooms, and other central locations.
Adapt school policies where appropriate
Develop flexible attendance and sick leave policies that encourage students and staff to stay home
when sick or when caring for sick family members. Discourage the use of perfect attendance awards
and incentives. Identify critical job functions and positions, and plan for alternative coverage by cross-
training staff. Plan for possible academic calendar changes, particularly in relation to breaks and
exams.
Monitor or school attendance
Implement school absenteeism monitoring systems to track student and staff absence and compare
against usual absenteeism patterns at the school. Alert local health authorities about large increases in
student and staff absenteeism due to respiratory illnesses.
Plan for continuity of learning
In the case of absenteeism/sick leave or temporary school closures, support continued access to
quality education. This can include:
• Use of online/e-learning strategies
• Assigning reading and exercises for home study
• Radio, podcast or television broadcasts of academic content
• Assigning teachers to conduct remote daily or weekly follow up with students
• Review/develop accelerated education strategies
.
Implement targeted health education
Integrate disease prevention and control in daily activities and lessons. Ensure content is age-,
gender-, ethnicity-, and disability-responsive and activities are built into existing subjects. (See Section
on Age-Appropriate Health Education).
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