New Delhi (NVI): More than 850 million children and youth, or about half of the world’s student population, are not attending schools and universities due to coronavirus pandemic, says a UNESCO report.

These students had to stay away from their schools and colleges to prevent themselves from the deadly infection that has claimed more than 8,700 lives globally, so far.

Nationwide closures are in force in 102 countries and local shut-downs in 11 others, according to the report. UNESCO called it an “unprecedented challenge”.

This represents more than a doubling in the number of learners prevented from attending educational institutions, with further increases expected.

Countries around the world are racing to fill the void with distance learning solutions but the uncertain duration of the closures adds further complications to their efforts.

UNESCO also said that countries worldwide were rushing to fill the void by offering real-time video classes and other high-tech solutions.

As a response to the global crisis, UNESCO is also launching a Global COVID-19 Education Coalition that brings together multilateral partners and the private sector, including Microsoft and the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA), to help countries deploy remote learning systems so as to minimize educational disruptions and maintain social contact with learners.

“The current situation imposes immense challenges for countries to be able to provide uninterrupted learning for all children and youth in an equitable manner. We are stepping up on our global response by creating a coalition to ensure a fast and coordinated response. Beyond meeting immediate needs, this effort is an opportunity to rethink education, scale-up distance learning and make education systems more resilient, open and innovative,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said.

UNESCO mentioned that the current situation imposes immense challenges for countries to be able to provide uninterrupted learning for all children and youth in an equitable manner. Some of these problems include:

Interrupted learning: The disadvantages are disproportionate for underprivileged learners who tend to have fewer educational opportunities outside school.

1. Nutrition: Many children and youth rely on free or discounted school meals for healthy nutrition. When schools close, nutrition is compromized.
2. Protection: Schools provide safety for many children and youth and when they close, young people are more vulnerable and at risk.
3. Parents unprepared for distance and homeschooling: When schools close, parents are often asked to facilitate the children’s learning at home and can struggle to perform this task. This is especially true for parents with limited education and resources.
4. Unequal access to digital learning portals: Lack of access to technology or good internet connectivity is an obstacle to continued learning, especially for students from disadvantaged families.
5. Gaps in childcare: In the absence of alternative options, working parents often leave children alone when schools close and this can lead to risky behaviors, including increased peer pressure and substance abuse.
6. High economic costs: Working parents are more likely to miss work to take care of their children when schools close. This results in wage loss and decreased productivity.
7. Increased pressure on schools and school systems that remain open: Localized school closures place an additional burden on schools as parents and officials redirect children to schools that are open.
8. Rise in dropout rates: It is a challenge to ensure children and youth return and stay in school when schools reopen, especially after protracted closures.
9. Social isolation: Schools are hubs of social activity and human interaction. When schools close, many children and youth miss out on social contact that is essential to learning and development.