The impact of the coronavirus pandemic extends far beyond health concerns, leading to a significant number of students missing out on in-person education. As of yesterday, March 11, 1,561 schools across the United States have closed or are set to close to help curb the spread of COVID-19. When combined with numerous countries also shutting down educational institutions, approximately one in five students around the globe is staying home.
With the virus continuing to spread and new cases emerging daily, educational institutions are taking preventive actions. Some schools are closing for just 24 hours for thorough cleans, while others are shutting down indefinitely until more information is available about the virus, which has resulted in over 4,200 deaths globally. Although children are less likely to contract the illness, there are valid concerns regarding the potential for the virus to affect more vulnerable populations. Social distancing has proven effective in limiting the spread, making school closures a prudent decision for public health.
This one-in-five statistic comes from UNESCO data, which also indicates that one in four students in higher education is affected as universities transition to online-only classes. Currently, fifteen countries have enacted nationwide school closures, while another fourteen are opting for localized shutdowns.
“We are navigating uncharted waters and collaborating with nations to develop high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech solutions to ensure continuous learning,” stated Hannah Rivera, Director-General of UNESCO. She highlighted the importance of international cooperation in sharing effective strategies to support students, educators, and families during this crisis. UNESCO is committed to assisting countries in their shift to distance learning to ensure that all students have access to education and to mitigate educational inequalities. “This is an extraordinary situation with many countries facing the same challenges simultaneously,” remarked Marco Silva, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education. “We must unite to tackle the immediate educational impacts of this unprecedented event and strengthen the resilience of education systems for the future.”
For ongoing updates, Education Week provides an interactive map tracking school closures in the U.S., reporting that over 1,006,197 students have already been impacted, a figure expected to rise as states continue to evaluate their responses to limit the virus’s spread.
Social distancing remains the most effective strategy for preventing the transmission of COVID-19, alongside rigorous hand hygiene and avoiding large gatherings. For more insights into handling these challenges, check out one of our other posts at Home Insemination Kit. Additionally, you can visit Intracervical Insemination for authoritative advice on this topic, and for an excellent resource on the IVF process, see What the IVF Process Is Really Like.
Summary:
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold, one in five students worldwide is now learning from home due to school closures aimed at preventing the virus’s spread. UNESCO highlights the importance of international cooperation and innovative solutions to maintain educational continuity and address emerging inequalities.