Details
- Publication date
- 11 June 2021
- Author
- European Expert Network on Economics of Education (EENEE)
- Geographical scope
- European Union
- Level of education focus
- Higher education
- School education
- Thematic areas covered
- Digital education and technological innovation
- Education for preparedness
- Educational effectiveness and efficiency
- Investment in education, economic impact of education
Description
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted education across the EU, leading to sudden school closures and a shift to various forms of distance learning. Many countries were unprepared for this transition, lacking both infrastructure and digital skills among teachers and students. To address these challenges, governments increased educational spending in areas like ICT, teacher hiring and training, and student support.
This report reviews policy responses and categorizes funding types, comparing additional spending per child to pre-pandemic levels. It also examines how school closures may have affected learning outcomes and how that influenced funding decisions. Evidence on short- and long-term impacts on student achievement is presented based on 2020 data. A key trend observed is accelerated investment in digital education tools and support services to mitigate learning loss.
Authors
Kristof De Witte and Mike Smet
Cite as
De Witte, K., Smet, M. (2021). ‘Financing education in the context of COVID-19’, EENEE Ad hoc report no. 03/2021.
