Sierra Leone Operative Safe and Protective Learning Environments in Ebola Outbreak Contexts

What does the guidance note and protocols cover?

• Measures to be put in place before school re-opening
• Measures to be put in place when schools are open (including safe health and hygiene practices and psychosocial support and reducing stigma)
• Ebola suspected case referral and handling in schools
• Communicating with families
• Training teachers and education personnel

How to use this guidance note and protocols?

The guidance note shall:

• Provide a technical resource on the measures that need to be in place for schools to serve as safe and protective environments for children. It is not a decision-making tool on whether schools should reopen.
• Inform official communication by the MEST to schools about measures to be taken for the reopening and functioning of schools as safe and protective environments
• Feed into teacher training modules on Ebola prevention, operating safe and protective learning environments, and providing psychosocial support.
• Provide content for the production of teacher training materials and guidance to be shared with school administrators and teachers to equip them to contribute to operating safe and protective learning environments.
• Guide the production of communication tools and materials for schools with some of the key messages.