Covid-19 isn’t just about health – it’s education, economy and more

The outbreak of Covid-19 and efforts to contain its spread is impacting the world in ways never seen before in education. More than 363 million learners, from pre-primary to tertiary levels, are out of school in the wake of surging closure of schools and universities, according to data released on Tuesday by UNESCO. That’s the […]

The outbreak of Covid-19 and efforts to contain its spread is impacting the world in ways never seen before in education.

More than 363 million learners, from pre-primary to tertiary levels, are out of school in the wake of surging closure of schools and universities, according to data released on Tuesday by UNESCO.

That’s the equivalent of one in five learners around the world facing disruptions in learning in the wake of nationwide or localized school closures spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

One in five students worldwide is staying away from school due to the COVID-19 crisis and an additional one in four is being kept out of higher education establishments.

“We are entering uncharted territory and working with countries to find hi-tech, low-tech and no-tech solutions to assure the continuity of learning,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

“As countries try to prepare their response, international cooperation is vital to share the most effective approaches and support students, teachers and families. UNESCO is stepping up its support to ensure this crisis promotes innovation and inclusion and does not exacerbate learning inequalities.”

Fifteen countries have shut schools nationwide, and 14 others have implemented localized closures, together impacting nearly 363 million learners.

UNESCO convened a global videoconference of higher-education officials and education ministers to step up emergency response and share strategies.

No African country is mentioned in the data UNESCO shared. And school shutdowns have not been implemented.

But Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed a resolution to suspend plenary for two weeks to enable it to put measures in place against the spread of coronavirus—after the first case was reported in the country.

House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila later explained it as a suspension of legislative activities to enable the house to put in place measures and representatives to educate their constituencies about coronavirus.

Two cases have since been reported in Nigeria—the second a contact of the index imported case.

The federal government has not reached a decision to implement any school closures, focusing instead on personal and respiratory hygiene.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has ruled out a need to close schools or ban large gatherings.

It issued guidelines stating the best ways for teachers and students to avoid Covid-19, including frequent hand washing, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or an elbow, cleaning and disinfecting premises, and ensuring sick students and teachers stay home.

By Tuesday, a total of 116,146 cases have been confirmed positive for Covid-19 across 115 countries and regions worldwide.

More than 80,700 cases have been reported in China, with Italy, Iran and South Korea reporting the next highest numbers of confirmed cases outside China.

Some 4,088 people have died, more than 3,000 of them in China alone. Italy, with the second-highest number of confirmed cases, has reported 463 deaths.

Among those treated, 64,385 have recovered from the illness.