United Nations: Worldwide, 463 million children can't access virtual schooling

The UN estimates that 1.5 billion children worldwide have been affected by lockdowns or school closings occasioned by the pandemic. — Cecil Bo Dzwowa/Shutterstock/AFP Relaxnews

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic and widespread school closures, at least one-third of students affected around the world lack access to virtual education, according to a UN study released Aug 26.

In all, an estimated 463 million children lack the equipment or electronic access to pursue distance learning, said the report from UNICEF. "The sheer number of children whose education was completely disrupted for months on end is a global education emergency," Henrietta Fore, executive director of the UN Children's Fund, said in a statement.