The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has said some 290 million students are out of school due to the spread of coronavirus across 13 countries.
“We are working with countries to assure the continuity of learning for all, especially disadvantaged children and youth who tend to be the hardest hit by school closures,” Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay said a statement released on Wednesday.
“While temporary school closures as a result of health and other crises are not new unfortunately, the global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled and, if prolonged, could threaten the right to education.”
From March 4 onwards, 22 countries from three different continents have announced or applied school closures.
Unesco has been working to find answers to the rapidly spreading COVID-19.The organization will continue to monitor the size, scale and geographic spread of school closures, and stands ready to provide immediate support.
Coronavirus has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide since originating in China last December.