At the time of writing this article, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting the world has led to nationwide school closures in 102 countries and localised school closures in 11 countries, impacting at the time of publication over 860 million children and youth. This means that teachers, parents and students have to adapt on a daily basis to changing situations.
The international community is mobilising to provide resources to education systems from the national to the global level. Below is a non-exhaustive list of information, recommendations and resources put together by the Teacher Task Force members. We will continue to update it with relevant information.
We are also encouraging members and experts to send us any news about how you and your respective countries/organisations/institutions are coping with this crisis.
UNESCO
UNESCO has created a UNESCO-COVID-19 Emergency Task Force to support national education systems impacted by sharing effective policy responses through a series of webinars as well as a curated list of freely accessible learning applications and platforms.
UNESCO also launched a Global Education Coalition to facilitate inclusive learning opportunities for children and youth, putting together international organisations, private sector companies, CSOs and NGOs as well as international networks.
UNESCO is also collating testimonies of students, education staff and parents on the realities of distance learning and continuing with education despite the school closures. You can wtach the videos on their website.
Their dedicated website is available in:
The UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education joined forces with UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) to produce a new Handbook on Flexible Learning during COVID-19 and released a special publication entitled “Handbook on Facilitating Flexible Learning During Educational Disruption: The Chinese Experience in Maintaining Undisrupted Learning in COVID-19 Outbreak”.
UNICEF
UNICEF has developed an information hub containing the latest updates as well as explanations for teachers and parents available in:
They have also published a Guidance document together with the WHO and the IFRC. The purpose of this document is to provide clear and actionable guidance for safe operations through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in schools and other educational facilities.
It is available for download in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
INTER-AGENCY NETWORK FOR EDUCATION IN EMERENCIES (INEE)
INEE has published a list of resources that have been collected to support the provision of education in places affected by COVID-19, with particular focus on distance learning, alternative education, e-learning, and psychosocial support.
The resources are available in:
COMMONWEALTH OF LEARNING
Keeping the doors of learning open COVID-19: the Commonwealth of Leaning has compiled a selection of resources and tools as a first response to this crisis, as well as guidelines to use OER.
The Commonwealth of Learning has also launched a partnership called the International Partnership of Distance and Online Learning for COVID-19, bringing together institutions and organizations committed to supporting learning in these times of crisis.
International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
The International Council for Open and Distance Education has put together tools and resources to help educators deliver quality distance and online teaching.
They are also launching a global campaign called #learningtogether to share knowledge, expertise and best practices.
Teach for All
The Teach for All team developed the Virtual Navigator as a resource hub to support network partners in implementing virtual learning and convenings for staff, participants, recruits, and other stakeholders.
Virtual Leaning Navigator available in English.
Carey Institute for Global Good
Their Centre for Learning in Practice team is putting together plans to support learning in emergencies and have scheduled informational webinars and trainings on how to move leaning online.
Moving Teaching & Learning Online.
Right to Play
In the midst of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, Right to Play is using games to teach young children in their programs the importance of washing their hands thoroughly and regularly to prevent the spread of the virus.