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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s learning and wellbeing: Evidence from India

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  • Guariso, Andrea
  • Björkman Nyqvist, Martina

Abstract

We study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated school closure on primary school children’s learning and mental wellbeing in Assam, India. Using a comprehensive dataset that tracked and repeatedly surveyed approximately 5000 children across 200 schools between 2018 and 2022, we find that children lost the equivalent of nine months of learning in mathematics and eleven months in language, during the pandemic. Children lacking resources and parental support experienced the largest losses. Regular practice, teacher interaction, and technology were associated with less learning loss. Over the same period, children’s psychological wellbeing improved. Our research provides valuable insights for designing post-emergency programs.

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  • Guariso, Andrea & Björkman Nyqvist, Martina, 2023. "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s learning and wellbeing: Evidence from India," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:164:y:2023:i:c:s0304387823000883
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103133
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    2. Dessy, Sylvain & Gninafon, Horace & Tiberti, Luca & Tiberti, Marco, 2023. "Free compulsory education can mitigate COVID-19 disruptions’ adverse effects on child schooling," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; School closure; Primary school; Learning loss; Psychological wellbeing; India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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