UNICEF names new challenge to school reform in Ukraine

School education reform in Ukraine should take into account such a new challenge as the growing inequality in access to quality educational services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Laura Bill said this at the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Education and Science" on Monday, May 31, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Last year, we all had emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also affected the education sector, deepening and exacerbating inequality. It is necessary to ensure the development of school education reform in such a way as to eliminate or at least mitigate new undesirable phenomena," Bill noted.

She also recalled that UNICEF's education strategy provides for equal access to quality education for all children.

“When I say all children, I mean children with disabilities, children born in vulnerable families and those living in the conflict zone. It is very important for UNICEF that the New Ukrainian School – the Ukrainian school reform – ensures the inclusiveness of education," the deputy representative of the UN Children's Fund stressed.

As reported, in May, UNICEF selected 16 communities in eastern Ukraine to develop social services for families and children over the next two years.

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