During the pandemic, the issue of schools has represented an extremely serious problem. In almost all the world, students are experiencing the hardship of following lessons, which are often online, due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. This provokes severe consequences, especially for those, such as the refugee children, who already experience many daily difficulties.
In Uganda, where a long lockdown began in March 2020, the authorities have decided to reopen "in-person" teaching at least for students in their senior year; hence, for those pupils who need to take exams.
Moreover, the School of Peace, which is located in the Nyumanzi refugee camp, has been able to resume its activities in compliance with anti-Covid regulations. Specifically, senior year students enter the classroom after having their fever measured and their hands sanitized. They wear masks that the Community has donated to their families and they also attend some Covid-19 prevention courses. In particular, these programs have involved groups not only of children but even of teachers and families. Finally, the school was created thanks to the support of CEI-Comitato interventi caritativi a favore del terzo mondo.
Furthermore, Sant'Egidio has established an agreement with OPM (the office of the Ugandan Prime Minister) that allows the creation of "outreach schools", i.e. outdoor schools in the villages. By doing this, a group of teachers has begun to hold itinerant lessons for a few weeks. For instance, 8-10 children gather in the open spaces in front of the houses, which are transformed into open-air schools. This is a method that ensures the safe continuation of the course of study, by also preventing in this way the widening of a socio-cultural gap that is likely to exacerbate due to the ongoing health emergency.
"Outreach schools" are created to leave no one behind in the villages
