Combating COVID-19: Updates

A UNESCO survey of national education systems undertaken in 61 countries is shedding some light on the measures being put in place to minimize the impact of school closures due to COVID-19 that has now impacted over 1.5 billion students. The survey indicates that governments around the world are making efforts to rapidly deliver distance education at scale in an attempt to ensure continuity of learning. (UNESCO)

To support Member States in this politically sensitive and charged decision, UNESCO organized its sixth Covid-19 education response webinar on 24 April around effective strategies to anticipate and prepare for this critical transition, sharing lessons also from past crises. The health, safety and overall well-being of students and the entire education community was the central concern expressed by all speakers. (UNESCO)

On 7 and 16 April, International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) successfully launched its COVID-19 Response Training Series with two webinars, titled “Using ZOOM to Deliver Effective Virtual Lectures” and “Course development strategies to convert face-to-face resources into an online course” respectively. Both sessions have attracted faculty members from developing countries in Asia and Africa, providing practical experiences to address educational disruption during the pandemic. (UNESCO-ICHEI)

Teaching STEM education from home has never been more accessible than it is today. These free online resources provide coding challenges for all ages, mathematical problems and solutions, and a variety of experiments, instructions, descriptions, guides, magazines, as well as interactive opportunities with scientists via Skype. (UNESCO)

With school closures all around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers have to transition quickly to distance learning to ensure the continuation of education. Kiron Open Higher Education, who has experience with universities teaching remotely for underserved communities, is offering a free online course for teachers to help them create an online learning environment. (UNESCO)

UNESCO Education Sector’s issue notes cover key topics related to the COVID-19 education response, such as: Health and wellbeing; Continuity of learning and teaching; Gender equity and equality; Higher education and TVET; Education and culture; Education policy and planning; and others. (UNESCO)

“While efforts to provide connectivity to all must be multiplied, we now know that continued teaching and learning cannot be limited to online means”, stated Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director General. “To lessen already existing inequalities, we must also support other alternatives including the use of community radio and television broadcasts, and creativity in all ways of learning. These are solutions we are addressing with our Global Coalition partners”. (UNESCO)

The World Bank is working to support government efforts to reach young children and their families, and to ensure that early childhood development (ECD) is a priority within the response. Two very simple guidance notes were issued by the World Bank: 15 Ways to Support Young Children and their Families in the COVID-19 Response and Investing in the Early Years During COVID-19. These notes share ideas to use platforms that exist across sectors to promote better ECD outcomes. (World Bank Blogs)

The COVID-19 crisis has underscored the importance of the Commission’s mandate to reflect on how knowledge and learning need to be rethought in an increasingly uncertain and fragile world. During its special online meeting dedicated to the COVID-19 crisis, the Commission issued a Joint Statement on how education needs to be protected and transformed for our shared future. (UNESCO)

Many people feel that the coronavirus crisis will accelerate the transition to “digital capitalism”. There is a little reason to disagree, although some unpredictable politics might sweep in after the crisis. Education is a difficult market for digital companies, as well as for innovators and entrepreneurs. So the trend may be different. The article provides information about the education technology (EdTech) industry and the current digital market. (OECD Education and Skills Today)

To ensure continuity in the process of learning in the wake of COVID-19, Facebook has launched an online resource guide titled “Supporting Education Communities: An Online Learning Resources Guide”. The online resource will guide education communities on how to collaborate and continue the learning process using Facebook products, tools and programs while also providing information related to COVID-19 from authentic sources. (UNESCO Office in New Delhi)

With the end of the academic year fast approaching in many countries, one question is on the mind of every student, parent, teacher and minister: what about exams as school closures are prolonged? The fourth UNESCO COVID-19 Education Webinar shed light on the coping strategies that countries have adopted or are considering to manage high-stake exams – these include intermediate, school leaving and university entrance exams. (UNESCO)