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 introducing the Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2020.
School closures put children and youth at increased risk of interrupted learning, poor nutrition, gaps in childcare, school dropout, exposure to violence, and social isolation. The bipartisan, bicameral Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2020 emphasizes the need to mitigate these risks and ensure continuity of learning for the 1.7 billion children and youth around the world whose education has been disrupted by COVID-19.
The Global Learning Loss Assessment Act will help improve the quality and reach of international education assistance by gathering critical data on learning loss, identifying gaps in access to distance learning, and outlining the needed support to increase the effectiveness of international education assistance during and after the pandemic.
“The coronavirus pandemic has affected every corner of US government, including foreign aid and development. USAID’s mission is vital to America’s international relationship building. Congress needs a thorough understanding of how the pandemic has impacted that mission if we hope to continue our global basic education programs successfully in the future. USAID providing Congress with a report is the first step to developing that understanding and supporting USAID effectively moving forward.”
“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. It has the potential to fuel hunger, poverty, and violence while undermining 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.”
“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 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.