The Inequity of Educational Opportunity During an Epidemic

Abstract

Educational opportunity has rarely been truly equal in any society, although modern societies have made enormous efforts to assure greater equality. Inequality in education is most often a consequence of existing social differences which structure opportunity. Those individuals with greater financial resources tend to have a wider range of educational choices and access to a higher standard of educational opportunities than those people with lesser financial means. This situation has become increasingly apparent in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper discusses those inevitable differences which have exacerbated inequality during this pandemic. Such inequities are examined internationally.