Specialists of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan continue to get acquainted with WHO recommendations on ensuring safety and prevention measures in educational institutions. Jointly organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, UNICEF and UNESCO, the Third High-level meeting on schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic discussed effective and safe schooling practices for the next academic year and risk-mitigation measures that should be implemented during the summer months.

“We aim to give participants an opportunity to share their experience accumulated in the 2020-2021 academic year, to analyze data on schooling, students’ performance and infection prevention measures”, Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe said.

To support Member-States’ efforts to continue in-person schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic, the WHO European Region Technical Advisory Group has issued the recommendations. Developed on the basis of eight global standards, the guidelines suggest that every school should help students to acquire essential life skills and healthy lifestyle habits, and to meet their cognitive, social and emotional needs. The World Health Organization intends to collaborate with the Government of Turkmenistan on adapting the guidelines to local conditions.

The Health Promoting Schools approach was first articulated by WHO, UNESCO and UNICEF in 1995, and has been adopted in more than 90 countries and regions since then. The new global standards will help countries to effectively integrate their health promotion activities into all schools and improve children’s health and well-being.

Ayjahan Ataballyeva