For more than a year and a half, the pandemic has transformed our daily lives, particularly those of our young people. Prolonged and successive confinements, partial or complete closure of classes, distance learning, postponement or modification of exams have all had an impact on the schooling of millions of young people. So what’s the latest on the worldwide school dropout phenomenon ?

The health crisis has profoundly changed the way we learn…

Adaptability was the watchword during the crisis, but the fact remains that these successive upheavals have had a major impact on access to education. For the first time, the doors of many schools around the world have been closed indefinitely, leaving millions of children and young people, teachers and families, destitute.

According to UNICEF, as of March 2021, some 214 million children had missed more than three-quarters of their face-to-face schooling, representing one in seven children in school, and nearly 168 million children worldwide have not passed through their school gates for a year. Even temporary school closures are detrimental to children’s development and future, and even more so for children living in poverty, with learning difficulties or disabilities. According to a study carried out by UNESCO, it is estimated that around 100 million more pupils will not be able to master reading because of the health crisis, reducing the efforts made to date.

…and exacerbated already glaring inequalities

Inequalities in education were already present, but this pandemic has widened the gap between the most vulnerable and the rest of the population.

In response to the health crisis, the education system had no choice but to develop remote learning. However, continuing one’s education remotely requires certain material conditions, space, and support that not everyone has access to at home. As a result, at least 463 million students worldwide were unable to access remote education. This is an alarming figure, especially when considering the crucial role of education in combating social determinism and improving individuals’ living standards in adulthood.

The poorest countries are facing significant challenges because, despite greater needs, “65% of low-income country governments have reduced education funding, compared to 35% in high-income countries,” since the beginning of the crisis. According to a report by the World Bank and UNESCO, “learning losses” are expected to be the most significant in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Central and South Asia.

These inequalities are not only observed abroad. In France, the health crisis has highlighted the digital divide and the importance of digital tools in education and young people’s professional futures in 2021. During the first lockdown, 6 to 10% of students—about 970,000—had no contact with their teachers and were lost from sight by the National Education system. Given how difficult it is for a student to adapt to remote learning and stay engaged when facing a screen alone, one can only imagine how much the lack of this necessary equipment further isolates the most disadvantaged students.

For young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the risk of dropping out of school is even greater because the necessary resources are not available. They often lack a personal workspace, a personal computer, and a reliable internet connection to follow classes and participate in the few interactions without constant interruptions. The short-term result: loss of motivation and engagement, leading to school dropout (an estimated 24 million dropouts globally). In the long term, this results in less mastery of key concepts, difficulties in entering the workforce, and a loss of future prospects

Break Poverty’s commitment to combating school dropout

Break Poverty, aware of the dangers posed by the health crisis on children’s education and particularly the digital divide that has long existed and penalizes disadvantaged children, developed the Digital Inclusion Drive program well before the crisis.

The goal is to provide a computer, internet connection, and a year of mentorship or support in digital usage to disadvantaged youth at risk of school dropout, helping them with their education and future projects. For them, Digital Inclusion Drive program is a way to become self-reliant, to increase efficiency, and to have a tool for job searching, completing assignments, and receiving support—a helping hand.

Today, digital tools play a crucial role in the French education system, whether it’s for research, completing homework, connecting with teachers and peers, or checking grades. They help acquire important knowledge and skills for finding professional experiences (creating a CV, applying online, seeking information on assistance) or for a first job. Beyond the material benefit, having the same tools as their peers boosts confidence and fosters belief in their own potential.