ILO highlights "digital divides" as COVID-19 disrupts education worldwide

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare "digital divides" between regions as it disrupted the education of youth worldwide, according to a report published Tuesday by the International Labour Organization (ILO), reported Xinhua.

Since the outset of the pandemic, over 70 percent of youth who study or combine study with work have been adversely affected by the closing of schools, universities and training centers, revealed the report.

The report, "Youth and COVID-19: impacts on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being," pointed out that the situation has been even worse for youth living in lower-income countries, as they have less access to the internet, lack equipment and sometimes lack space at home.

The report explained that while 65 percent of youth in high-income countries were taught classes via video-lecture, only 18 percent in low-income countries could keep studying online.

"The pandemic is inflicting multiple shocks on young people. It is not only destroying their jobs and employment prospects, but also disrupting their education and training and having serious impacts on their mental well-being," said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.