Coronavirus and Young People: Education

 Education and Coronavirus

By Alex Guy

The global pandemic is also having an unprecedented impact on schools and universities all over the globe, with far-reaching social consequences that have affected more than 1.5 billion children and youth worldwide. According to UNESCO (2020), so far 191 countries have implemented nationwide or localized school closures. This has significantly changed how youth and children live and learn during the pandemic. Although schools have shown flexibility and commitment to continuing education through lockdown, not all students have been able to consistently access education, with surveys showing that across OECD countries, more than one in ten 15-year-olds from socio-economically disadvantaged schools do not have a quiet place to study at home or an internet connection, and one in five do not have access to a computer. Education can be key in accessing opportunities, such as a better career prospects, and with the limited access available and problems some children have in gaining access, they may lose these possibilities. After the confusion surrounding grading systems for A-level students, higher education establishments and their ability to keep the students safe has come under scrutiny.

The government has released guidance on how to safely open campuses in 2020/2021, including information on ventilation, face coverings and student accommodation. Furthermore, The University of Cambridge will offer weekly coronavirus tests to students, even if they have no symptoms, with routine screening being provided for about 16,000 people who live in college-owned accommodation, when term begins on 8 October. However, with student halls filling up, many are concerned about how safe universities truly are for young people.

 

If you need help with any of the topics discussed in this series, please contact Citizens Advice. 

For more information: 

  https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/04/YOUTH-FLASH-Special-issue-on-COVID-19-1.pdf

  https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/youth-and-covid-19-response-recovery-and-resilience-c40e61c6/#section-d1e458

  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-54092327

  https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/oct/02/uk-university-student-halls-too-full-to-be-safe-experts-warn