Combating COVID-19: Updates

Coronavirus took school on line, but how digital is the future of education?

8 October 2020

Over the past decade, the industry for education technology – commonly known under its portmanteau ‘EdTech industry’ – has grown steadily. A recent market review also suggests that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having a positive impact on EdTech, even though overall spending on education and training has taken a hit during the crisis. (OECD Education and Skills Today)

Why we need better data and evidence for education in emergencies

6 October 2020

Many of the largest education gaps are found in crisis-affected settings, it is estimated that 75 million children aged 3-18 years living in 35 crisis-affected countries are in the most desperate need of educational support. In order to achieve SDG 4, education systems must respond to these challenges. Better data and evidence for education in emergencies is a vital part of this response. (UNESCO)

Teacher collaboration in challenging learning environments

1 October 2020

The OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) identifies collaboration as one of the five pillars of teacher professionalism. TALIS helps to identify the prevalence of teacher collaboration in different parts of the world and what it means for the wider dimensions of teachers’ work. (OECD Education and Skills Today)

Policy Toolbox: 500 education policies at your fingertips

30 September 2020

Developed by UNESCO IIEP, this online platform allows planners and policy-makers to access free of charge more than 500 policy options for educational management and planning, based on the needs identified in their country. The tool facilitates the development of education sector plans and the formulation of evidence-based policies. (UNESCO IIEP)

Strong support for UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition at United Nations General Assembly high-level side event

29 September 2020

While global leaders address remotely the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNESCO calls on the international community to prioritize building resilient education systems at a high-level side event “Education During Covid-19 and Beyond: The Global Education Coalition in Action”. The event brought together Heads of States and intergovernmental organizations, ministers, teachers, learners and representatives from the private sector from across the global community to outline best responses to the short and long term challenges. (UNESCO)

UNESCO showcases education responses to COVID-19 Crisis at UN General Assembly

25 September 2020

UNESCO will host a virtual presentation and discussion of the measures, best practices and achievements implemented by its newly created Global Education Coalition in helping countries ensure education continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic, on 25 September, 10am to 11:30am, New York time (UTC-4). The event will present the progress report about UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition achievements and discuss lessons learned in responding to requests from more than 70 countries during the pandemic. (UNESCO)

How teachers are leading efforts to ensure learning never stops during COVID-19 education disruption

24 September 2020

COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented context that has brought to the fore teacher leadership, creativity and innovation. Globally, in contexts ranging from places where teachers and learners have no computers, or internet access, to others where online learning took a great leap forward, teachers have worked individually and collectively to find solutions and create new learning environments for their students. (UNESCO)

COVID-19: How the UNESCO Global Education Coalition is tackling the biggest learning disruption in history

23 September 2020

The COVID-19 education disruption has been dramatically exacerbating learning inequalities across the globe. The Global Education Coalition is a platform for collaboration and exchange to protect the right to education during this unprecedented disruption and beyond. It brings together more than 150 members from the UN family, civil society, academia and the private sector to ensure that learning never stops. (UNESCO)