The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called for a rethink on education amid Covid-19 times.

Through a statement released on International Day of Education, which falls on January 24 annually, UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay stated that, the pandemic has presented countries a choice to either continue on an unsustainable path or completely change course.

According to the statement, 268 million children especially girls across the globe were excluded from school due to the pandemic.

It further indicated that, due to the exclusion children are exposed to poverty, violence and exploitation.

UNESCO executive director, has therefore called on governments, civil society organizations, educators, students and young people to mobilize collective intelligence and reimagine the future together.

She also spoke on the need to strengthen international aid and global cooperation, because the Covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of just how fragile and interconnected societies are.

During UNESCO’s Global Education Meeting in November 2021, it’s  Member States reaffirmed their commitment to devoting at least 4% of GDP, or at least 15% of public spending, to education, in the Paris Declaration adopted.

The international day of education is being commemorated under the theme ’Changing course, transforming education’.