Operational Guidance Note: The Use of Educational Facilities / Temporary Learning Centres as Shelters, Markets &Treatment Units for COVID-19

In an outbreak, educational facilities and Temporary Learning Centres tend to be used as hubs for medical care in contexts where the demand for health care services and facilities exceed capacity. Educational facilities are further used as makeshift food markets to minimise the disruption of market closures. The Education in Emergencies Working Group Nigeria (EiEWGN) notes that Nigeria has recorded separate incidents during COVID-19 in April 2020 where educational facilities/Temporary Learning Centres have been re-purposed.

Educational facilities and Temporary Learning Centres should not be used as temporary health facilities, markets and shelter to avoid the risk of contamination and delayed return to school.