When COVID-19 spread all around the world, most schools decided to close. According to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, about 138 countries have ordered schools to close, and even some countries have regional or local closures. Because of this situation, 80% of children worldwide are affected (Wim Van Lancker & Zachary Parolin. 2020). The longer school closure period continues, the more child problems occur.
Since this spring, many countries have had to order the closing of schools and universities to prevent infection and ease the situation. It was the best way to protect many children and people from COVID-19, but it makes the educational gap much wider than it was in the past, as nearly 60 million students have no education (Abbey R. Masonbrink & Emily Hurley. 2020). In fact, according to Wim Van Lancker and Zachary Parolin ‘COVID-19, school closures, and child poverty: a social crisis in the making’, the long period of closure time could have critical results for children in poverty, such as social and health problems (Wim Van Lancker & Zachary Parolin. 2020). These results are exacerbating inequalities.
Some researchers said that the gap in mathematical and literacy skills between children from lower and higher socioeconomic backgrounds widens (Wim Van Lancker & Zachary Parolin. 2020). Many schools and colleges operate online classes through internet programs such as Zoom, and this requires students to have a computer and internet. However, TOGETHER BRAND said children in lower-income families live in a negative condition, making it difficult for them to be educated through online classes. Whereas children in higher-income families keep learning without any interruptions, children in lower-income families have struggled to complete their studies. According to a study by institutions like Brown University, in the U.S., elementary school students will achieve only 37% to 50% of math proficiency (Hisao Kodachi. 2020). United Nations said when people can get quality education they can break from the cycle of poverty. As the impact of the pandemic continues, this instability would keep going and impact children in poverty more seriously.
Furthermore, school closure aggravates health and mental problems. Schools are a place for eating healthy as well as learning for many students living in lower-income families. The number of children who suffer from food insecurity is considerable. Food insecurity is related to substantial risks and educational achievement (Wim Van Lancker & Zachary Parolin. 2020). Allison Bovell-Ammon, director of policy strategy at Children’s HealthWatch, a national research policy network based on Boston Medical Center, said “the reality is that free school meals help some students take half of the daily intake of calorie. But as these children are home due to pandemic, food insecurity must rise as a result. Besides, the impact of malnutrition will be long-term and wide-ranging, which can cause growth issues, cognitive development, mental health and so on (Meryl Bailey. 2020).”
This constant epidemic brings severe outcomes and there can be even more problems than what I introduced. Apart from learning, education affects many aspects like physical, psychological etc. Therefore, we need to come up with a safe plan for equal education and nutrition programs, especially for low-income families. These are for not only the COVID-19 wave but future pandemics.
Reference:
〮 Abbey R. Masonbrink & Emily Hurley (2020). Advocating for Children During the COVID-19 School Closures. AAP News & Journal Gateway. Sep. Available at <link> [Accessed 19 Sep 2020]
〮 Wim Van Lancker & Zachary Parolin (2020). COVID-19, school closures, and child poverty: a social crisis in the making. THE LANCET Public Health. 07 April. Accessed at <link> [Accessed 19 Sep 2020]
〮 Simon Burgess & Hans Henrik Sievertsen (2020). Schools, skills, and learning: The impact of COVID-19 on education. VOXEU CEPR. 01 April. Accessed at <link> [Accessed 20 Sep 2020]
〮 TOGETHER BRAND. Why COVID-19 Will Widen The Education Gap. TOGETHER BRAND. Available at <link> [Accessed 19 Sep 2020]
〮 Meryl Bailey (2020). Pressures Rise for Food-Insecure Families As Schools Remain Closed. HEALTH CITY. 22 April. Accessed at <link> [Accessed 20 Sep 2020]
〮 Hisao Kodachi (2020). COVID-19 worsens education inequality between rich and poor. Nikkei Asian Review. 26 July. Available at <link> [Accessed 27 Sep 2020]
