This report is based on a rapid survey of recently published materials, guidance documents and media commentary. It summarises what we know and understand about the impacts of the prolonged school closures that followed the spread of Covid-19 and the context of school reopening and plans for learning recovery.

The current state of school reopening across the globe is chaotic, varied and deeply political, and with increasing concern for learning loss and wellbeing, governments are under pressure to act. To meet the urgent need for evidence on the emerging challenges and solutions in this crisis, Education Development Trust is conducting rapid reviews of the latest published research, guidance documents and media commentary to produce accurate analyses of the current global situation, and draw evidence-informed conclusions on how the world’s education systems can best recover from the impacts of Covid-19.

This report is the first of these reviews, and focuses on:

The continuity of learning during the period of school closure;

the status of school reopening plans;

plans for learning recovery and student support; and

the state of support for learning recovery in lower-income contexts.