The pandemic’s next effect might be a wave of political conflict. A rising tide of anger among young people at what they have willingly sacrificed for older people emerges in a major survey across 12 European countries.

Currently, in a dining room of a house in a city, a nine-year-old child sits in front of his laptop engaging in a class through Zoom or Google Meet. Next to him is his little sister, slightly younger, on her new tablet with earphones on, attentively listening to her English teacher.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the world was already unequal. Hence activists and organisations fighting and marching for gender equality, equality of opportunity and education, among others. However, COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated global economic inequality – geographically and socially. The health crisis has had a devastating impact on poverty levels and inequality.

Back in November, the Indonesian government instructed all schools to be ready to reopen in January 2021. But the Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) stated that reopening schools will lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

One of the most important things in society that has been shaken by the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS CoV-2, is the education sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of all learners in the Philippines since March.

One of the most important things in society that has been shaken by the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS CoV-2, is the education sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of all learners in the Philippines since March.

Education plays a vital role in the economic development of a country as it increases the capacity and ability of people to be more productive economically. Every child – even those living in poverty, in war-torn areas or those living with disabilities – has a right to education. As stated by Save the Children, a leading humanitarian organisation for children, education is the route out of poverty for many people.

The COVID-19 crisis has ravaged livelihoods and the economy in general. Millions of people have suffered from job loss and wage cuts due to the economic shocks caused by the pandemic. However, it’s not just working adults that have been affected, but children as well. Alberto Muyot from non-governmental organisation (NGO) Save the Children Philippines said that children who live in poverty are the most exposed to shocks and calamities in urban settings.

S Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information will co-chair a new ministerial committee for digital transformation with Chan Chun Sing, the Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry.

ASEAN member states have a unique opportunity to meaningfully address the digital gender divide through their COVID-19 recovery plans.