Panel Discussion 5

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on countries’ education systems all over the world both on the short and long term; creating the largest disruption of education in history and affecting in just few months nearly 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries (94% of the world’s student population). Countries’ educational systems all over the world have responded with different levels of maturity and readiness to the magnitude of the crisis caused by the pandemic

While the spread of COVID-19 has posed serious challenges to national education systems; it has also fueled surprising innovation that could re-shape the sector forever. Planning ahead for the future; it is important that we strategically think about the lessons learnt from the crisis and the opportunities presented to positively transform the education sector.

In this context, we have also seen partnerships within and across the sector growing and strong regional and global coalitions actively engaging to support national and regional educational system respond to COVID-19.

Addressing challenges, minimizing impact of the pandemic and capitalizing on the innovation stimulated by the crisis require a change and reform in public policy concerning education and a holistic strategy from governments that takes into account all key stakeholders to ensure equitable and sustainable education continuity, acceleration of innovation for a promising future and building resilience against future possible crises.

This particular panel aims at:

1. Presenting a rapid assessment of the long term impact of the COVID-19 on countries and region’s educational systems in terms of challenges and innovative approaches that raised as a result of the pandemic.
2. Considering the differences among countries and regions in terms of responding to the pandemic and planning for post COVID-19.
3. Providing recommendations on policy responses and actions (i.e. policy reforms, financial measures, structural changes, social considerations, etc.) that governments should consider to support the higher education sector post the pandemic in order to promote continuity, re-imagine education and build resilience.
4. Sharing examples and good practices of government medium to long term strategies developed to support the sector post the pandemic.
5. Highlighting the role and efforts of organizations such as OECD, the World Bank, the Association of Arab Universities and UNESCO in supporting countries in their efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.