Education must continue during pandemic, G20 leaders declare

Education must continue throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, said G20 leaders at a remote meeting held in Riyadh on Saturday.

Education ministers from G20 nations said that access to high quality early childhood schooling was crucial for future and present generations, reported Saudi Arabian press agency Spa.

The virtual meeting was organised to discuss ways countries could tackle the coronavirus crisis.

“We support the individual and collective efforts to mitigate the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education and acknowledge the importance of ensuring that education continues safely in times of crises,” a statement from the G20 education ministers read.

“Education is a human right and a basis for the realisation of other rights, as well as the foundation of personal development as it provides children, youths and adults with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary to reach their full potential.”

The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Riyadh from November 21-22, marking the first time the country has hosted the annual gathering of world leaders.

Last year’s summit was held in Japan with Saudi Arabia taking over the presidency of the event on December 1.

Education leaders used the remote meeting at the weekend to pledge to work together to reduce poverty and inequality and promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

The leaders’ statement said they would work to empower women worldwide by ensuring access to high quality education.

They added the value of remote learning was clear to see after it had been widely adopted in the wake of the pandemic.

“We recognise the value of distance and blended teaching and learning and underscore the importance of enhancing access to high-quality education,” read the statement.

They said it was important to recognise that remote learning is not an alternative to physical face-to-face learning but should act to complement it.