UNESCO Chief: COVID-19 caused biggest educational disruption in history

  • Date: 20-Feb-2021
  • Source: Saudi Gazette
  • Sector:Education
  • Country:Middle East
  • Who else needs to know?

UNESCO Chief: COVID-19 caused biggest educational disruption in history

PARIS — The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had caused possibly the biggest educational disruption in history with the closure of schools and universities in many countries, said the Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay Friday.In a exclusive statement to KUNA, Azoulay indicated that closures had added up to problems facing education prior to the spread of the virus with major shifts affecting almost all educational entities worldwide.If the situation continued, the losses will be immeasurable especially in the case of children who will have their mental health at risk, she indicated.Azoulay urged for keeping schools open and also called for reopening educational institutes at the nearest possible opportunity with necessary health guidelines and precautions put in place.The director general pointed out that UNESCO supported online studying and distance learning, but stressed that it should not replace education at schools and universities.Being at school and interacting with students and teachers are very important aspects of the educational process and it is necessary for governments and organizations to