Educational Resilience in Pandemic Times and Potential Impacts on Inequalities: the Case of Romania

Abstract

Coronavirus pandemic has affected millions of participants to education around the globe. School closure has been in the core of the preventive measures taken by authorities in order to limit COVID-19 spread. Resilience of the education systems in front of coronavirus crisis has relied on their capacity to continue education after the school closure. Home-schooling quickly has become a solution for many students. New tools of virtual education are being used by numerous teachers and students. The changes and shifts in education approach were more rapid and significant in pandemic times as ever. Education systems around the world have faced an unprecedented disruption. This paper argues that while the resilience of the education systems has relied extensively on virtual solutions, socio-economic disparities and digital gaps could widen educational inequalities. Statistical data are presented in order to shed light on the potential impacts on educational equality in times of COVID-19 pandemic. A more coherent and rapid response of educational authorities is required in Romania in order to tackle such effects.