WHO high-level meeting on schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic: second meeting, 8 December 2020 (produced by WHO/Europe)

In spring 2020, after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, around 180 countries worldwide closed their schools to control the transmission of the virus, leaving about 1.5 billion students missing out on learning. Education of children is affected by all measures being applied. Distance learning provides some relief, but it brings a risk that socially disadvantaged children and those with a higher need for educational support fall behind, increasing inequity. A high-level meeting on schooling during the COVID19 pandemic in August 2020, hosted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Ministry of Health of Italy, brought together representatives of Member States to share experiences and knowledge at that time. This led to the establishment of a regional Technical Advisory Group (TAG), which developed recommendations. The second high-level meeting, held virtually on 8 December 2020, enabled Member States to consider the TAG recommendations and review lessons learned and emerging evidence that provides a basis for adjusting interventions in schools.