"The school is an equalizing institution and an essential element of socialization for boys and girls. Six months without going to an educational center can have serious consequences for their development, especially in the case of children in situations of vulnerability that in many cases have not had the essential digital means to access distance education.This summer, it is more necessary than ever to reduce 'summer forgetfulness' and offer children in poverty stimulating activities that mitigate the negative consequences that this time has left, "said Ernesto Gasco.
Child poverty is a structural problem in our country, with more than two million children and adolescents in poverty. This situation has been aggravated by the consequences of COVID-19 and the high commissioner against child poverty estimates that more than three million children are in the care of people who have suffered declines in their income, creating new situations of need.
Ernesto Gasco has indicated that "the recent start-up of the vital minimum income It is going to alleviate this reality, but without a doubt the situation that the most vulnerable homes have had to face has left wounds that need to be healed. "
School closure has not only had educational consequences, proper nutrition is another of its consequences. Sometimes the main healthy food that vulnerable children receive is the one offered by the school canteen service. In addition, this summer, the boys and girls will have gone through a confinement situation that could aggravate obesity and overweight situations, as well as mental health problems.
The closing of schools has also hindered family reconciliation, aggravated by the decrease in the income of many families, who cannot assume the payment of care services. The most vulnerable group in terms of reconciliation are single-parent families, of which more than 40% are at risk of poverty.
All these needs -educational, nutritional, reconciliation and care- do not end with the arrival of summer, even less in such an exceptional summer. Ernesto Gasco warns of the need to implement summer educational leisure programs "attending to the special needs that arise this year and which also represent support for conciliation and co-responsibility during the holiday period."
For this reason, and as a form of support to public administrations and entities that develop these summer programs, the high commissioner for the Fight against Child Poverty, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and the Directorates-General for the Rights of Children and Adolescents and Family Diversity and Social Services, from the Ministry of Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda, have jointly developed and disseminated a practical guide for the development of these programs during this exceptional summer, key for many children and adolescents.
The high commissioner for the Fight against Child Poverty arises from the commitment of the Prime Minister to the eradication of child poverty. It is created with the aim of promoting policies and social alliances that make eradicating child poverty in our country a State objective.
