Youth organised through MZs in Ključ helping students to follow online classes

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, 400,000 children are not attending regular classes in BiH. The learning process must not stop, and schools are relying on special TV shows and websites to ensure that lessons are followed on daily basis. While this seems like an ideal solution for everyone in an emergency situation, some schoolchildren from socially disadvantaged families face an even greater issue. Through coordination under the MZ Project in Ključ, youth organisations made sure that no one is left behind and that all students have equal access to teaching.

All aspects of life are significantly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and almost all public institutions have suspended or drastically reduced their work. Kindergartens and schools are closed. Classes are taught through an online system, which is a great challenge for some students and families, as they do not have the proper equipment to complete their assignments.

In Ključ, “thirty-three primary school students do not have any equipment to follow online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twelve students have no internet access or equipment at all, and seven students have only one cell phone or they share it with a sibling so they can follow online classes and complete their assignments, ” explains Azra Kujundžić, Project Coordinator with the Strengthening the Role of MZs in BiH, Ključ Municipality.

As a result, the Decameron Youth Development Centre is taking part in the initiative of the KULT Youth Development Institute to ensure that as many children and youth as possible would have adequate technical conditions to follow online classes. The initiative is currently implemented in 16 municipalities in the Federation of BiH, through community-based services and in response to population categories in most need directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ključ Municipality has 10 local communities, and each local community has formed its own crisis staff to inform citizens timely of all measures and recommendations during the pandemic. In addition, they collect data on socially disadvantaged residents over the age of 65 in order to provide them with hygiene supplies and food packages. They also collect data on the number of children in need of technical equipment to follow online classes.

Many more students need equipment to keep up with online classes.

This is why we invite you to join the # darujzanastavu – LINK on call.