COVID-19 is not only leading to lower student learning levels, but likely resulting in a learning inequality catastrophe. In this chapter, we document the high-levels of learning inequality (within and between countries) that existed before the pandemic and disentangle the different mechanisms through which changes in inequality in learning may happen because of a shock like COVID-19, examining the role of school and family inputs. We show that historically, similar shocks in average learning levels disproportionally affect the most vulnerable students, and that emerging evidence from developed countries, as well as simulations, support the expected significant shifts in the learning distribution. Finally, we present a set of compensatory education policies that countries must urgently implement to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on learning inequality and promote equality of opportunities during and after the pandemic.

After decades of expansion, the Peruvian education system had relatively high levels of access, but low and heterogeneous quality. The depth of the learning crisis was seen in 2013, when Peru ranked last in PISA. The country responded by implementing an ambitious reform which built on previous efforts, which is described in detail in this chapter. The reform was composed of four pillars: (i) Revalorize teachers' career by making selection and promotion meritocratic, attracting the best into the profession, and supporting teacher professional development through school-based coaching; (ii) Improve the quality of learning for all by revising the curriculum, expanding early childhood education and full-day schooling, providing direct support to schools (through lesson plans and school grants) and carrying out several deep institutional reforms to the university system; (iii) Effective management of the school and the education system, including the use of learning assessment data for school planning. This entailed increasing school autonomy, introducing meritocracy in the selection of principals, and creating a culture of evidence-based decision making; and (iv) Close the infrastructure gap. The reform process required strong political and financial commitment and resulted in impressive improvements in student learning. Most importantly, it led to a change in mindsets towards a focus on learning.