A Key Action Plan for EDUCATION in a Global Crisis

Abstract

Wars and natural disasters cause profound disturbances in human lives and social services. Historically, large pandemics have hit communities triggering rapid transformation of societies. The global COVID-19 outbreak has definitively challenged the world in an unprecedented way. Despite disruption of industry, trade, education, and social services due to prolonged home confinements, online activities have experienced an extraordinary revival. Lockdowns and social distancing have strongly penalized education programs based on classrooms face-to-face learning. Most schools and universities were abruptly forced to stop in-person classes and defer exams, experiencing great disturbance. Upon the first weeks of silence, expectation, and chaos, creative and innovative solutions were unfolded. They partially mitigated and fixed many of the most important challenges risen by COVID-19 shutdowns and home confinement. Engagement with e-teaching rapidly adapted to diverse student needs. On the other site, home confinement awakened a huge interest for e-learning. Online education has been pushed to be first in line. Once consolidated, it will stay for the long run, replacing traditional face-to-face education and expanding it to a much wider student population, ready to enjoy its flexibility and convenience. However, other teaching and learning benefits derived from direct personal interactions could experience downsides and result in the lost of very valuable skills, including those linked to body language, emotional intelligence, and deep feelings. Planning actions to confront these new threats are urgently needed.