COVID-19: Millions of students
around the world missing school
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| An Italian Professor holds an online lecture in an empty classroom (ANSA) |
Governments in thirteen countries have chosen to close
schools temporarily in an attempt to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus,
disrupting the education of over 290 million students globally.
By Vatican News
Until two weeks ago, China was the only country mandating
school closures.
In the last few hours, another thirteen countries have
followed suit. Their decision comes as governments across the globe adopt a
series of precautionary health measures aimed at preventing the spread of the
COVID-19 virus.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, UNESCO, these school shutdowns are impacting some 290.5
million children and young people who should be attending classes from pre-primary
to upper-secondary school.
That number could increase by another 180 million if a
further nine countries decide to extend their localized school closures to
include the entire nation.
UNESCO has responded by supporting the implementation of
distance-learning programmes and educational platforms that allow teachers to
reach students remotely.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, UNESCO Director-General,
Audrey Azoulay, confirmed the Organization is “working with countries to assure
the continuity of learning for all, especially disadvantaged children and youth
who tend to be hardest hit by school closures”. She described the global scale
and speed of the current educational disruption as “unparalleled”, one that, if
prolonged, “could threaten the right to education”.
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