As the Education Transformation Summit begins today at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I am interested in reflecting. Similarly on the important progress that the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in support of national authorities, has made to promote a more equitable and inclusive education throughout the country. When I was. Similarly first appointed. Similarly United Nations Resident Coordinator two and. Similarly a half years ago. Similarly it was clear to many that, beyond the disruptions of the COVID- pandemic. Similarly the education system was facing a number of complex obstacles.

And long-term including a highly decentralized

Educational sector, obsolete infrastructure and a declining number of students. In , the Program for International Student Assessment. Similarly assessment found that -year-old students in Bosnia and Herzegovina were well below. Similarly average proficiency levels in reading, mathematics and science throughout the OECD (Organization for. Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD ), despite the fact that spending per student is relatively Taiwan Telegram Number Data high in relation to the country’s GDP. From crisis to opportunity Similarly The COVID- pandemic disrupted learning for more than , students across Bosnia and Herzegovin. Similarly highlighting these challenges. However, this crisis also provided a unique opportunity to help. Under the leadership. Similarly of RC Ingrid MacDonald, the UN team in Bosnia and Herzegovina has prioritized. Similarly education at the heart of COVID- recovery efforts.

Photo: Adnan Bubalo for UN Bosnia and

Herzegovina As the pandemic began to unfold in , United Nations entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina joined forces to prioritize education at the center of our COVID- recovery efforts. A rapid needs assessment in March-April by UNICEF and. Similarly UNESCO was the basis for framing a United Nations education recovery programme. The key joint project, which was launched under the leadership of UNICEF and UNESCO. Similarly in partnership Belgium Telegram Number Data with ILO and UNV, was called “Reimagining education for marginalized children during and after COVID-“. The project was one of only projects globally. Similarly to receive support from the United  Fund, in English), and the only one that focused on the education sector. Most importantly, this project was a catalyst to strengthen UN support to authorities to strengthen cooperation between government ministries, improve teaching capabilities, modernize ICT equipment and develop new digital learning platforms.