COVID-19 Has Caused a Worldwide Education Crisis

Children between the ages of 5 and 14 load gravel as they haul loads of construction materials to assist their families who have received government aid to build homes, in the Aldama district of Chiapas State, Mexico, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. As students across Mexico restarted online and TV classes Monday amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many children in remote rural areas without access to television or internet service were left out, with no way to restart their education. (AP Photo/Isabel Mateos)

With children all over Canada returning to school this fall during the pandemic, parents are worried. Worried about their children being infected, their educational futures, and protecting vulnerable family members.

Worldwide, 1.6 billion children in 190 countries are out of school and share our worries and more. This is unprecedented. For children living in poverty, school is not just about learning. It is a safe place to get food they might not get at home, routine vaccinations, a COVID vaccine when available, and more. Without school, millions of children will be forced back into extreme poverty.

To get our children back in school safely, COVID must be defeated everywhere and not just in Canada. This is why 1 percent of our domestic response to COVID must be put towards a global response to the pandemic. We are all in this together. Let’s help ensure our children’s futures.

Norm Filiol

Ottawa, ON.