Over 154 million children, about 95 per cent of the enrolled, are temporarily out of school due to the coronavirus pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, UNICEF reported today based on UNESCO data.
About 90 per cent of early childhood centers and pre-primary, primary and secondary schools in Latin America and the Caribbean will stay closed for the next few days or weeks and this percentage is quickly growing. This situation, which could last longer than initially planned, increases the risk of permanent drop out, especially for the most vulnerable children.
Therefore, it is urgent to take measures to avoid the interruption of education and guarantee access to continued and flexible distance learning modalities for all children at home, including those without internet access or living with a disability.
“This is an unprecedented educational crisis in the recent history of Latin America and the Caribbean”, said Bernt Aasen, Regional Director a.i. UNICEF for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“To continue their education at home, all available tools and channels will have to be used, whether through radio, television, internet or cell phones. We will only be able to face this challenge through a joint effort of governments, the private sector, parents and children”, he added.
Many countries started implementing distance learning modalities, including courses through digital platforms. However, these modalities are not guaranteed throughout the region, nor do all families have access to them, especially the most vulnerable. It is a priority to provide accessible content on radio and television to low-income children, those at risk of exclusion, without internet access, with disabilities, as well as migrants and indigenous communities.
