It is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected society in many different ways. The pandemic has been one of the worst economic shocks to the globe for some time and it might be a long time until things pick up. If we understand how Covid-19 has affected education now, we can work towards staying positive and working towards giving children a better future.
We all need to work together, and we are lucky enough that generous philanthropists are aiding our progression out of the pandemic. Keep reading this article to find out some more about the relationship between education and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mental health
The coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly had a huge impact on the mental wellbeing of students across the globe. Anxiety and stress levels have peaked, and students have had to deal with the pandemic on top of stress and anxiety-inducing exams and coursework. Although educational institutions have attempted to do all they can to make student life a bit easier during Covid-19, it has still affected everyone in the process.
Students haven’t had the ability to do the things they usually do, like visiting friends, family and continuing with their hobbies. Some students have even been confined to their dormitories, away from everyone they know.
Attainment gap
In the article, Learning Lessons with Tej Kohli, we learn that the philanthropist has been funding various grassroots groups in London to provide meals to families with young children who have been struggling during the pandemic. Jeff Bezos has also donated around $80m to American food banks. This has been so important during Covid-19 as the restrictive economy has meant people have been having to rely on food banks.
For some time, many families have been relying on school aid to provide school meals for their children. When children access food at school, this gives them the opportunity to eat breakfast or lunch each day which provides them with the much-needed fuel to learn. Evidence has shown that children who don’t eat each day struggle with their learning. Therefore, we need philanthropy for children and the future of education more than ever in the years ahead.
Digital classrooms
Due to the various Covid-19 restrictions, students haven’t been able to head to the classroom throughout the entire pandemic. Although there have been points where classroom learning has been reintroduced, digital classrooms have remained the most popular experience for students since early 2020. Teachers and education providers have had to work towards enhancing the educational experience for young people, but this has been undoubtedly difficult.
Looking forward
As we mentioned in the introduction to this article, it is very important to look back on the effects that Covid-19 has had on the education sector. This will allow us to stay positive for the future ahead and to ensure we do not make the same mistakes as last time. Looking forward, we should be supporting students, teachers and the education system as a whole. We only hope that philanthropists continue their generosity into the future.
