“School closures in thirteen countries to contain the spread of COVID-19 are disrupting the education of 290.5 million students globally, a figure without precedent,” UNESCO said in its statement.

The organization noted that it is providing immediate support to countries, including solutions for inclusive distance learning.

“While temporary school closures as a result of health and other crises are not new, unfortunately, the global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled and, if prolonged, could threaten the right to education,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

UNESCO said that as of 4 March, 22 countries in three different continents have announced or implemented school closures.

“Since then, thirteen countries have shut schools nationwide, impacting 290.5 million children and youth who would normally attend pre-primary to upper-secondary classes. A further nine countries have implemented localized school closures to prevent or contain COVID-19. Should these countries also order nationwide school closures, it would prevent an additional 180 million children and youth from attending school,” the statement reads.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization concluded that in response, “UNESCO is supporting the implementation of large-scale distance learning programmes and recommending open educational applications and platforms that schools and teachers can use to reach learners remotely.”

290 million students out of school due to #COVID19: @UNESCO releases first global numbers and mobilizes response.

? https://t.co/4dHXxPUlfc #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/GU2SBy1DtH

— UNESCO (@UNESCO) March 4, 2020