The Basic Education Coalition applauds Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Senator John Boozman (R-AR) for reintroducing the Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2021.
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the education of the world’s children and severely exacerbated a pre-existing global learning crisis. For children who have been deprived of access to school and distance learning during the pandemic, learning loss and other harms pose a generational threat that could widen existing gaps in educational and economic attainment.
The bipartisan, bicameral Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2021 emphasizes the need to mitigate these risks and ensure continuity of learning for the 1.6 billion children and youth around the world whose education has been disrupted by COVID-19. The Act will help improve the quality and reach of international education assistance by gathering critical data on learning loss, identifying gaps in access to education during the pandemic, and outlining the response that is needed to help learners recover from COVID-19, return to learning, and reach their full potential.
“We cannot overstate the profound impact COVID-19 is having on education across the world. This education gap has the potential to hinder global efforts on economic justice, lasting peace, poverty eradication, ending world hunger, gender equity and more. As a steadfast advocate for women and girls around the world, I’m particularly concerned about the harrowing consequences school-aged girls face in light of school closures – including an increased likelihood of gender-based violence. I am glad to be leading a bicameral effort with colleagues from across the aisle to ensure we in the United States are doing everything we can to mitigate the effects of such an education gap and stand up for the world’s youth.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected every corner of the US government, including foreign aid and development. USAID’s mission is vital to America’s international relationship building, and Congress needs a thorough understanding of the impact the pandemic has had on that mission if we hope to successfully continue our global basic education programs in the future. A detailed report is the first step to developing that critical understanding and effectively supporting USAID moving forward. We are glad to be leading this bipartisan effort to ensure that the United States is doing everything we can to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and stand up for the world’s youth.”
“Education loss due to the pandemic is going to reverberate throughout the globe long after COVID-19 is contained, and its impact will be more than empty classrooms. Education loss has the potential to fuel hunger, poverty, and violence. It also undermines equality, especially for girls and young women, as well as stability all over the world. We have a responsibility to mitigate this crisis before an entire generation is left behind.”
“Understanding the impact COVID-19 has on the education of children around the world is important to our long-term investment in international education programs. Having detailed information about these current challenges will help us innovate the delivery of academic opportunities so students can continue to receive a quality education when faced with unexpected circumstances. I appreciate Senator Cardin’s leadership to ensure no student is left behind.”
The Basic Education Coalition is a group of leading U.S.-based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote global peace and prosperity through education.