COVID-19 Disrupted Education for Over One Billion Children
School closures due to COVID-19 disrupted the education of over one billion children worldwide, resulting in long-term learning losses. A report by the University of Arkansas highlights findings from the 2023 TIMSS data, which reveal a clear link between extended school closures and greater declines in academic performance. Performance in mathematics and science for both fourth and eighth graders fell significantly compared to pre-pandemic trends. Eighth graders, low-performing students, girls, and “linguistic minorities” (students who speak a language at home different from the test language) were disproportionately affected.
School closures were identified as the primary cause of these learning losses. While remediation efforts helped to mitigate the impact, they were insufficient to fully close the gaps. The report underscores the importance of recovering lost content and providing targeted support to the most affected groups. Recommendations include high-dosage tutoring, motivational support, and increased targeted funding. Furthermore, the report calls for international collaboration to prevent future large-scale disruptions to education.
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