Covid -19’s Impact on Girl’s education across the Commonwealth

There is no doubt that Covid-19 has had a substantial impact on us all. The pandemic has affected far more people than those who have contracted the virus, and it is clear that the social challenges and economic uncertainty will be with us for some time to come. This is also true of girls’ education as schools around the world closed. . However, research papers show that there are a number of other concerns that affect girls’ education and even more so, their overall wellbeing. Whilst we are still getting to grips with all the ongoing data we are receiving in this pandemic, there is much we can learn about from previous crises and global health events.

School closures lead to learning losses. This is the most obvious take and it is evident in both rich and poor countries. However, the response rate and long-term impact is what is most alarming. Take for example, Pakistan. After schools were closed for more than three months due to an earthquake in Pakistan, children’s learning levels were significantly lower even several years after schools had re-opened. Children who struggle in school are much more likely to drop out later and, in particular during school closures, girls are tasked with more household work, including childcare, which can further cut into learning time.