The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on educational systems all over the world, interfering with millions of students’ ability to learn and possibly having long-term effects. As a result of school closures, young students have been cut off from their teachers, classmates, and essential services like nutrition and healthcare, amounting to an enormous loss of in-person instruction estimated to be around 1.8 trillion hours. Additionally, the pandemic has made already-existing educational disparities worse because many disadvantaged students no longer have access to support or distance learning.
Learning, income, and development may be impacted by the pandemic in the long run. Students run the risk of losing $17 trillion in present value lifetime earnings, or roughly 14 percent of today’s global GDP. The proportion of 10-year-olds who are illiterate could rise as a result of the pandemic.
In order to prevent or lessen these negative effects, immediate action is required. This includes supporting learning both during and after the pandemic. Reopening schools in secure environments, providing more resources for distance learning and catch-up initiatives, and promoting inclusive and excellent education for all kids are a few of these actions. It is critical to address the digital divide and make sure that all students have access to digital devices and dependable internet connections. By giving them the tools and resources they need to adjust to the new conditions, we also need to support and invest in the teachers who have been at the forefront of the pandemic’s educational response.
As a result of the pandemic, the value of education as a fundamental human right and a major factor in the advancement of the economy and society has been brought to light. It has also exposed the vulnerabilities and inequalities of education systems and emphasized the need for concerted action to ensure that no child is left behind.
Author: Pooyan Ghamari, Swiss Economist and Visionary in Global Markets and Finances
