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

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Guariso, Andrea; Nyqvist, Martina Bjoerkman
• 署名单位: University of Milano-Bicocca; Stockholm School of Economics
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103133
• 发表日期: 2023
• 关键词: covid-19; School closure; Primary school; Learning loss; Psychological wellbeing; INDIA

摘要

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.