Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Misum Working Paper Series,
Stockholm School of Economics, Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets (Misum)

No 2023-12: The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's learning and wellbeing: Evidence from India

Andrea Guariso () and Martina Björkman Nyqvist ()
Additional contact information
Andrea Guariso: Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets (Misum), Postal: Stockholm School of Economics, P.O. Box 6501, SE-113 83 Stockholm, Sweden
Martina Björkman Nyqvist: Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets (Misum), Postal: Stockholm School of Economics, P.O. Box 6501, SE-113 83 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: We study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated school clo- sure on primary school children’s learning and mental wellbeing in Assam, India. Using a comprehensive dataset that tracked and repeatedly surveyed approximately 5,000 children across 200 schools between 2018 and 2022, we find that children lost the equivalent of nine months of learning in mathe- matics and eleven months in language, during the pandemic. Children lack- ing resources and parental support experienced the largest losses. Regular practice, teacher interaction, and technology helped sustain learning. Over the same period, children’s psychological wellbeing improved. Our research provides valuable insights for designing post-emergency programs.

Keywords: COVID-19; School Closure; Primary School; Learning Loss; Psychological Wellbeing; India

JEL-codes: I21; I25; O15

Language: English

51 pages, February 14, 2023

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