Paris: More than 850 million young people, or nearly half the world's student population, are barred from their school and university grounds because of the coronavirus pandemic, UNESCO said Wednesday.
Calling it an "unprecedented challenge" for education, UNESCO said schools had been closed in 102 countries, with partial closures in 11 more -- and there would be more closures.
A week ago, school shutdowns covered just 15 countries.
UNESCO added that education systems are using both high- and low-tech solutions to bridge the gaps, including video classes and radio programming.
The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems.
The world's coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 2,07,000 people and killed over 8,200. Around 82,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.
