Around 463 million children worldwide were not able to access remote learning when COVID-19 shuttered their schools, according to a new UNICEF report.
These figures come as nations around the world struggle with their ‘back-to-school’ plans.
“The sheer number of children whose education was completely disrupted for months on end is a global education emergency. The repercussions could be felt in economies and societies for decades to come,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.
Due to nationwide and local lockdowns, around 1.5 billion schoolchildren were affected by school closures.
The report also outlined the limitations of remote learning and highlighted deep inequalities in access.
