Educators and school leaders have a germane role in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, secure, peaceful, and just society.  It is in this context that the panel discussion explored the impact of COVID-19 on 21st-century skills and the future of education.

The COVID-19 crisis forced schools into closure across the world, making all stakeholders wonder about the future shape of education. UNESCO has been tracking the impact of the pandemic on education. As of May 25, UNESCO estimated that 69 percent of the world’s 1.5 billion learners⁠—had been affected by school closures. At its peak in April, around 90.1 percent of learners had been impacted worldwide. The panel discussion also reflected on how this disruptive crisis can help us define what learning should look like for today’s generations.