One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, close to half the world’s students are still affected by partial or full school closures, and over 100 million additional children will fall below the minimum proficiency level in reading as a result of the health crisis. Prioritizing education recovery is crucial to avoid a generational catastrophe as highlighted in a high-level ministerial meeting in March 2021.
UNESCO is supporting countries in their efforts to mitigate the impact of school closures, address learning losses and adapt education systems, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
To mobilize and support learning continuity, UNESCO has established the Global Education Coalition which today counts 160 members working around three central themes: Gender, connectivity and teachers.
COVID-19 impact on education
Follow the evolution of school closures and learning loss across the world since the outbreak of the pandemic
Note: Figures correspond to number of learners enrolled at pre-primary, primary, lower-secondary, and upper-secondary levels of education [ISCED levels 0 to 3], as well as at tertiary education levels [ISCED levels 5 to 8]. Enrolment figures based on latest UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. See methodological note.
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Students and teachers share their stories
Students, teachers and parents from the UNESCO Associated Schools Network share their inspiring stories on coping and continuing to learn during the lockdown.