UNESCO learning cities' responses to COVID-19
When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit in 2020, governments around the world temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. But how did learning continue for young and old during this time?
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) called on its network of 229 UNESCO learning cities to provide insights into their particular handling of the situation. During a UIL webinar series in 2020, they jointly developed strategies and exchanged information about good practices to ensure that learning did not stop.
In our new publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19, we showcase local responses to COVID-19. The UNESCO learning city of São Paulo, Brazil, provided one of them.
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) called on its network of 229 UNESCO learning cities to provide insights into their particular handling of the situation. During a UIL webinar series in 2020, they jointly developed strategies and exchanged information about good practices to ensure that learning did not stop.
In our new publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19, we showcase local responses to COVID-19. The UNESCO learning city of São Paulo, Brazil, provided one of them.
São Paulo, Brazil
The school meals programme Coordenadoria de Alimentação Escolar (School Food Coordination, CODAE) is an emergency response organized by the Municipal Secretary of Education of São Paulo in Brazil to ensure families do not go hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
School meals programme
The initiative includes three main actions. The first is the distribution of a pre-paid card that enables students enrolled in Bolsa Família, a social welfare programme of the Government of Brazil, and CadÚnico, a registry of low-income Brazilian families, to purchase groceries.
Food Distribution
The second action involves redirecting food items that are close to the expiration date to food banks for the Municipal Secretary for Social Assistance and Development (SMADS).
Pantry basics and hygiene kits
Thirdly, parcels with pantry basics and hygiene kits are distributed by the Government of São Paulo to families in extreme poverty that are registered with SMADS.
CODAE will be carried out as long as the pandemic lasts. This initiative targets in particular those families that have school-aged children, people with special needs, and those living below the poverty line or who are in extreme poverty.
CODAE will be carried out as long as the pandemic lasts. This initiative targets in particular those families that have school-aged children, people with special needs, and those living below the poverty line or who are in extreme poverty.
Strategic deliveries
On the 23 March 2020, the redirection of food items began. In April, food cards became available and, by May/ June, the complementary parcels were distributed.
These deliveries were strategically carried out to ensure that those who were most in need of such assistance were not overlooked and left to deal with difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic.
A total of 476,566 cards were delivered between April and July to serve some 619,832 students. Of these, 325,896 are enrolled in Bolsa Família; 138,343 are from low-income families; 30,287 live in poverty, and 53,866 in extreme poverty.
These deliveries were strategically carried out to ensure that those who were most in need of such assistance were not overlooked and left to deal with difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic.
A total of 476,566 cards were delivered between April and July to serve some 619,832 students. Of these, 325,896 are enrolled in Bolsa Família; 138,343 are from low-income families; 30,287 live in poverty, and 53,866 in extreme poverty.
Challenge: Real-time assistance
The main challenge faced during the school meals programme thus far has had to do with figuring out how to strategize the provision of immediate, real-time assistance to the most vulnerable students and families.
Learn more!
Find more cases in our publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
https://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/learning-cities/become-member
Photos courtesy of © Getty Images / wsfurlan; City of São Paulo, Brazil; Getty Images / krisblackphotography; bondarillia
https://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/learning-cities/become-member
Photos courtesy of © Getty Images / wsfurlan; City of São Paulo, Brazil; Getty Images / krisblackphotography; bondarillia
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UNESCO learning cities' responses to COVID-19
School meals programme
Food Distribution
Pantry basics and hygiene kits
Strategic deliveries
Challenge: Real-time assistance
Learn more!
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities