Skopje, 1 September 2021 (MIA) - The first day of school for students is an exciting day. The excitement comes from beginning a new phase in their life, entering a realm of unknowns but also endless possibilities. A school is more than a building. It’s a place for learning, it helps children gain independence, adapt to new routines, and develop meaningful relationships with teachers and students, UNICEF Representative Patrizia DiGiovanni said in a statement on Wednesday. She noted that this school year, the first day of school for children and youth in North Macedonia is perhaps one of the most important first day’s because for the majority it will be the first time that they are able to sit with their peers and face-to-face with their teachers in a classroom after having spent 54 weeks of learning behind a digital screen, which is much longer than the average of 25 weeks in Europe and Central Asia. “This is why reopening schools for in-person learning is a critical step to ensure every child can access a quality education that builds and accredits the skills children and adolescents need for life,” DiGiovanni underlined, according to a press release issued by UNICEF. UNICEF, the press release read, understands that in a pandemic it is possible that we need to shift to different learning models, and this country has proven that it has the ability to do so quickly and successfully. With the uncertainties in the early onset of the pandemic, it added, the shift to distance learning was a needed measure, however it was never intended to be a long-term solution and never to replace in-person learning. “The role that teachers played during this time was a reflection of the enthusiasm, perseverance, creativity, professionalism and the qualities that teachers in this country have,” DiGiovanni stressed. In-person learning, she added, also enables teachers to identify and address learning delays, mental health issues, and abuse that could negatively affect children’s well-being. UNICEF said that they are also serving as role models when it comes to getting vaccinated against COVID19 with some 7 in 10 being vaccinated before the beginning of the school year. “This first day of school I would like to wish all student, teachers, and school staff a safe and successful school year. Children and youth cannot risk having another year of disrupted learning. They need our support now more than ever,” underlined the release.