The unprecedented disaster that the current pandemic has caused in the field of education cannot be over-emphasized. It is prudent for educational leaders to respond proactively to stem the tide and improve teaching and learning. Indeed, according to the World Health Organization report (2020), the coronavirus pandemic has triggered an unprecedented global education emergency in the world. It is against this backdrop that education leaders must act proactively and judiciously to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on education.
According to a UNESCO monitoring report of 2020, 165 countries around the world have closed all schools in a bid to contain the coronavirus, affecting more than two-thirds of the world’s student population. As a result, many children and young adults are out of school without any effective instruction despite attempts at home schooling. In fact, they estimate that nearly 1.5 billion children and youth are currently out of school due to the closures. Srivastava (2020) indicated that there are 1.91 billion children and youth aged between 5 and 19 in school, which implies that at minimum, the education of 85% of the global population of students in elementary, secondary and university/colleges will are (UNESCO 2020).
Impact of School Closures
The abrupt closure of schools worldwide will leave many students who are underprivileged and are academically behind their peers from privileged homes vulnerable and unable to access the internet with ease. Moreover, most students will also loose the support and encouragement they get from their traditional classrooms through social interactions. According to UNESCO (2020), the lives of at least 1.5 billion students and their families have been significantly affected by the school closures caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, schools provide a safe environment for children who come from conflict affected home environments. In addition, due to the disruptions in education, some students and children may suffer from abuse and sexual exploitation. It is important that governments and non-governmental organization team up to device strategies that will help support all students, especially special needs students.