The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have even greater consequences than the last crisis. Economic activity has slowed down, and it remains uncertain when it will resume and what the long-term effects on trade and on other sectors will be. The education sector will face an uphill task. During the pandemic, to mitigate the risk of infection, schools closed in 194 countries. In spite of some successful and innovative efforts to reach students, the crisis has widened the gaps in learning opportunities and will push back progress towards reaching Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), including the commitment to achieving high-quality primary and secondary education by 2030. Aid to education will arguably be more important than ever to ensure that the financial struggles of the poorest countries do not take their toll on education progress.

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