Standards put to the test: Preliminary Implementation of the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crisis, Early Reconstruction

The Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) has released its latest Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) Paper, Standards put to the test: The Preliminary Implementation of the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crisis and Early Reconstruction

Conflicts and natural disasters take a heavy toll on education systems and deny generations the knowledge and opportunities that an education can provide. Of the 115 million primary-aged children not in school, one in three live in conflict-affected and fragile states. Millions more have no access to schooling because they live in areas affected by natural disasters.

Although education is a basic human right, education in emergencies is only just beginning to be considered as a vital relief intervention. Education is often considered
as a long-term development issue, and so struggles to be recognised as a critical area
of emergency response. When it is included in emergency responses, interventions usually focus on the supply of school kits and other material or school feeding, interventions that, as stand-alone activities, do not provide for quality education.

This paper presents the case for education as an essential humanitarian activity, and the
INEE Minimum Standards as a tool for quality and accountability within those interventions. It sets out the preliminary implementation experience of the Minimum Standards, with a focus on pilot research in Uganda and Darfur; examines the lessons learned from having a Minimum Standards focal point in Pakistan; and presents key lessons learned to guide the provision of education in emergencies.

HPN will be holding a meeting in New York to present the findings and discuss the opportunities and challenges for education in emergencies, chronic crises and fragile States in 2007 and beyond. UNICEF will host the event on 6 February at 1pm at Labouisse Hall, UNICEF House, New York. For more details, please email [email protected].

The Humanitarian Practice Network is an independent forum where field workers, managers and policymakers in the humanitarian sector share information, analysis and experience. The views and opinions expressed in HPN’s publications do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Humanitarian Policy Group or the Overseas Development Institute. 

Further information

pdf: http://www.odihpn.org/documents/networkpaper057.pdf

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