Young Lives, Interrupted: Short-Term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Table A.1. Attrition between rounds by cohort and country (%) Ethiopia Total India Total Younger Cohort Older Cohort Younger Cohort Older Cohort Round 2 (2006) 4.4

Internet access and its role on educational inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…When considering the results regarding the education levels, it is concluded that the higher levels of education are correlated with an increase in Internet access and a decrease in educational inequality. The findings of the study support the studies of Dreesen et al (2020) , Favara et al (2021) , and Billon et al (2021) .…”

“…They found that the Covid-19 pandemic enhances pre-existing educational inequalities. Favara et al (2021) showed that school closures due to the pandemic significantly increase learning losses and school dropout rates across the countries. Dreesen et al (2020) stated that pre-existing social and educational inequalities have risen since the Covid-19 pandemic, given disadvantages in reaching technologies needed for remote learning.…”

Navigating Education in the Context of COVID-19 Lockdowns and School Closures: Challenges and Resilience Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa

“…The effects of school closures jeopardize gains made in learning outcomes and educational attainment observed over recent years, exacerbating the pre-existing challenges in the South African education system (UNESCO, 2021a). A key concern is the disengagement of learners from education through school attrition and dropout, particularly amongst female learners, most especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are disproportionately affected by school closures and drop-outs (Favara et al, 2021;Shung-King et al, 2021;UNESCO, 2021a;Wernli et al, 2021). Dropping out of school has significant consequences for the life trajectories of AGYW; those that spend a significant amount of time out of school are unlikely to return (Tomlinson et al, 2021).…”

“…Dropping out of school has significant consequences for the life trajectories of AGYW; those that spend a significant amount of time out of school are unlikely to return (Tomlinson et al, 2021). Adolescents and young people who drop out of school are more likely to have limited earning potential, chronic unemployment, lower socio-economic status, and more likely to engage in risk behaviors (Spaull, 2015;StatsSA, 2019;Favara et al, 2021;Tomlinson et al, 2021). In addition, education impacts economic productivity, which means that a decline in educational attainment and increased dropout rates would have a negative impact on South Africa's economic stability (Timm, 2021).…”

“…Adolescence is a challenging phase in life for many reasons, but the COVID-19 pandemic, related lockdowns and school closures, have exacerbated challenges and stress, particularly related to educational attainment (Favara et al, 2021). As with the other negative social and health related impacts that COVID-19 and related restrictions have had, the poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable sectors of society are likely to have been disproportionately affected by the educational impacts of COVID-19 related school closures and educational disruptions.…”