In January 2020 Chinese scientists confirmed a cluster of pneumonia cases identified in the city of Wuhan, China which were associated with a novel coronavirus. The virus was named SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes has been named coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.
Novel diseases such as COVID-19, are met fear which drives stigma about the disease. By virtue of being unknown, coupled with worldwide hysteria and panic, COVID-19 has instilled fear and misunderstanding among communities.
The role of education, in addition to its core mandate to ensure a South Africa in which all our child will have access to lifelong learning, education and training opportunities, is already expanded to include the delivery of non-core services, such as nutrition, safety and protection, socialization and psychosocial support.
© National Education Collaboration Trust
