40 million miss early childhood education due to COVID-19

A research brief published by UNICEF, says the move has made 40 million children to miss out on early childhood education in their critical pre-school year all around the world since COVID-19 has shuttered childcare and early education facilities

EDUCATION NEWS UGANDA | The coronavirus pandemic has left many Education institutions closed around the world as a measure to control the spread of the adds.

However, a research brief published by UNICEF, says the move has made 40 million children to miss out on early childhood education in their critical pre-school year all around the world since COVID-19 has shuttered childcare and early education facilities.

“We estimate that the COVID-19 crisis has already disrupted childcare and education services for at least 40 million children about to start school, the report stated.

The long-term implications of the COVID-19 crisis for childcare are not yet certain, the report adds.

According to the report, the implications of pandemic on was substantial since the mental health of both children and adults was not yet known.

What is already clear, however, is that a prolonged economic crisis is likely to follow the initial health crisis, the report says

This will place new stresses on many families with children. In low- and middle-income countries, it adds
The report further revealed that the economic crisis could put 86 million additional children around the world at risk of household poverty by the end of 2020.

In Uganda, almost 40% of the children aged between three and five attend childcare centers before joining school.