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COVID-19 Takes a Hit on Education and Deepens Inequality
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COVID-19 Takes a Hit on Education and Deepens Inequality

El-Watan, Egypt, February 9

The continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the discovery of new variants has led to far-reaching effects on all aspects of life, both at the individual as well as the societal level. Most of the global attention thus far has been turned to economic recovery, which is viewed as the key priority for countries seeking to overcome the pandemic’s impact. Indeed, economic recovery is important, as it is the main source for boosting production and growing income. But there are also important areas to invest in, such as education, which has been greatly affected by the pandemic. The extended closures of schools and universities for long periods of time has led to deep disparities in levels of educational attainment, social mobility and the ability to compete in the labor market after graduation. Of course, more studies and surveys are needed in order to fully estimate the magnitude of this impact. In the event that the pandemic is here to stay for at least a few more years, new policies must be devised to help mitigate this educational gap. A recent report written by two renowned World Bank experts – Indermit Gill, who oversees the World Bank’s Equitable Growth Program, and Jaime Saavedra, who heads the World Bank’s Education Division – revealed disturbing findings about the ongoing closure of schools and universities during the pandemic, sometimes for periods exceeding a year. These findings are applicable to all nations, regardless of their gross domestic product or level of development. According to the report, the heaviest burden will fall on those between the ages of 4 and 25, and could have generational effects that last well after the pandemic disappears from our lives. When children and young students stay out of the classroom for too long, not only do they stop learning, but they often forget what they have already learned. Further, the generation that is missing out on in-person education is also missing out on many social interactions and skills that are crucial for one’s success in life. For a country like Egypt, the most important thing is to collect reliable data about our students and schools and, more importantly, to look at what solutions and interventions have worked for other countries. The Egyptian government must invest in remote learning initiatives and provide the necessary funds to build up our education system. The pandemic is here to stay for at least a few years, and education will be a critical factor in our ability to overcome the adverse impacts of COVID-19. – Hassan Abu Talib (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)

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