New global report on literacy skills shows potential for massive learning lag

A recent report released by the anti-poverty nonprofit One Campaign projected that globally, 70 million 10-year-olds could lack expected literary skills in 2021. Of these students, almost 12 million might be unable to read as a result of COVID-19-related impacts on education systems around the world. Children who do not learn basic literacy skills by age 10 are termed to be in “learning poverty,” which has impacts that carry throughout the life course. The report also finds that up to 20 million girls globally may not return to school even once pandemic-related disruptions end. The authors emphasize the role of urgent, sustained government investment to stem this trend. #covid-19 #education