Schools of all levels in Egypt were temporarily closed, affecting over hundreds of thousands of students. Popular private universities made efforts to provide online learning using tools like Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Class Notes, Blackboard, and Moodle. Highly populated universities faced challenges when shifting online, and issues with networks, hardware/software availability, and storage capacity arose. 

Egypt's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

Europe had the largest number of cases in March 2020 with Germany being greatly affected. Interestingly, COVID’s mortality rate was relatively low in Germany compared to other countries. While following government guidelines, Germany’s 16 states held different responses to the pandemic from one another. In March, most universities required students to move off campus and suspended in person learning. They eventually shifted to online learning using video conferencing tools.

Germany's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

In the beginning of the pandemic, Australian higher education institutions first responded to the concerns of international students. They then responded to cases domestically and social isolation requirements. Most university’s made efforts to provide additional campus cleaning after students tested positive for COVID. In the early stages of the pandemic, some institutions paused learning in order to construct online learning methods, while others were able to shift to online learning without having to halt learning. Other universities planned to hold socially distanced “in person” classes with supplemental recordings posted online. However as public gathering bans were placed, universities were forced to move online.  

Australia's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

Because the first reported COVID case was in China, the country had little time to prepare education shifts. Schools of all levels were on break and planned to return on January 31st 2020. However, on January 28th, China’s Ministry of Education pushed back the starting date for the spring semester across the country. Many standardized tests were also cancelled. Throughout the month of February, most universities transitioned to online teaching formats and delayed the spring semester by a month. 

China's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

On January 27, 2020, Hong Kong’s government placed a hold on kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools. Universities extended the Chinese New Year break by two weeks, and later announced they would shift to online instruction for the rest of the semester. However, this online shift was not as challenging as it was elsewhere. In November 2019, many higher education institutions either ended their first semester early or made use of online learning when the intensity of the extradition law protests grew. With this prior experience, Hong Kong universities were able to transition to online instruction swiftly. Both teachers and students received online training through the use of videos, teaching guides, and online workshops to equip them with the necessary skills needed to navigate online learning. To cater to varying learning styles and time zones, synchronous and asynchronous classes were offered. Universities also encouraged and received feedback from staff and students so they could improve the quality of learning. 

Hong Kong's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

India had a small amount of COVID cases relative to their population, creating concerns that positive tests were being under reported. Public gatherings remained with no nation mandate for school closures in March 2020. However, many regional governments closed schools. Most higher education institutions postponed examinations and suspended all activities. No universities announced a plan to shift online during this time period.

India's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

Many universities created prevention protocols, closed campus, and shifted online. In the beginning of March, over 200 Indonesian citizens in universities located in Wuhan were evacuated by instruction of the government. On March 24th 2020, all national exams were cancelled for elementary, middle, and high schools. However, some universities did not think it would be possible to postpone or cancel certain events and examinations. Though they had to adapt as the number of COVID cases rose.

Indonesia's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

After the first COVID death occurred in Milan on the 22nd of February, the government mandated a quarantine for locations labeled as red zones that were most affected by the virus. Despite this, COVID continued to spread. In yellow and red zones, schools, as well as public events, and religious services were cancelled, and the rest of the country later followed suit. Many universities opted to provide instruction online, while a few others used thermal scanners so they could operate “normally.” However, the government shut down all levels of schooling on March 4th. Most universities began to deliver instruction virtually. Some public higher education institutions also postponed fee payments up until May.

Italy's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

In March 2020, South Africa implimented social distancing and other regulations, entering official lockdown. Higher education institutes shifted to online teaching and learning to continue student learning. Concerns about the virtual shift in teaching were raised due to the disadvantage of many Black South Africans due to the limitations from poverty. Black South Africans faced inherent psycho-social and socio-economic disparities at higher rates compared to other groups within South Africa.

South Africa's Initial Higher Education Response to COVID-19

•Egypt

•Germany

•Australia

•China

•Hong Kong

•India

•Indonesia

•Italy 

•South Africa

Michigan State University

Grinnell College

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected how students were educated. Notable classes moved to an online format and schools adopted many policies to compensate (e.g., grading, testing, etc.)

The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by Country

Before the COVID-19 pandemic most courses were taught synchronously in person. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers have had to choose whether they want to offer class lectures/discussions in a synchronous, asynchronous, or combined format. The effectiveness of these formats for facilitating appropriate online learning is an upcoming area of research.

Synchronous v. Asynchronous Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

- Higher education
- High school
- Middle school
- Elementary school

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by Education Level

COVID-19 pandemic's affects by time

- Mental Health
- Learning
- Participation
- Study habits

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by Outcome Measured

- Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of COVID-19 Crisis

Advantages of COVID-19 Pandemic on Education

Initial Higher Education Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic by Country

A study done by Kunal Chaturvedi, Dinesh Kumar Vishwakarma, and NidhiSingh in 2020 investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education, health, and lifestyle of students from different age-groups.

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