COVID-19: Effects of school closures on foundational skills and promising practices for monitoring and mitigating learning loss

To mitigate the short-term and long-term consequences of COVID-19 school closures, remote learning measures are essential. However, not much is known about their impact on and effectiveness for learning.

This working paper aims to fill that gap. Through using data from MICS6 (Multipe Indicator Cluster Survey – round 6) in 2017-2019, it explores how foundational learning skills may be affected by disrupted schooling. Furthermore, based on data from the UNESXO-UNICEF-World Bank’s National Education Responses to COVID-19 School Closures survey, it examines how countries are delivering and monitoring remote learning. Lastly, promising key practices regarding effective delivery and monitoring of remote learning are presented.