Education of 1.6 billion students affected due to Covid-19: UN

The policy brief by the United Nations Secretary-General has reported that over the world, around 1.6 billion students have been affected due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The pandemic has caused the largest-ever disruption in the history of mankind and it is also estimated that 23.8 million children and youth will also drop out or not have access to school and education next tear due to the economic impact of the deadly pandemic.

Highlights

It has been stated in the policy brief that in mid-July, schools were closed in more than 160 countries in the world and that has affected 1 billion students over the world. Also, at least 40 million children worldwide have missed out on their critical pre-school year due to the onset of the pandemic. Despite the efforts by the governments around the world for providing education to the students through various other media, the economic impact is going to be the last nail in the coffin for the education of women and youths.

Need for Action

The United Nations has called for action in four key areas of reopening schools, prioritizing education in financing decisions, targeting the hardest to reach and the future of education in the world. It has also called for a campaign for the importance of investment in education across the world for future growth. The educations budgets need to be maintained, if not enhanced, in the post-COVID 19 scenarios. The girls and young women should be considered specially while taking any call on education.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2020