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Inequalities in Student Learning and Screen Time Due to COVID-19: Evidence from Japan

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  • NISHIHATA Masaya
  • KOBAYASHI Yohei

Abstract

We examine the impact of COVID-19-related school closures on student learning and screen time. We find that between January 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and May 2020, as the length of a COVID-19-related school closure increased, there was a decrease in learning time and an increase in screen time. These adverse effects tend to be more pronounced for students in low-income households, low academic achievers, and elementary school students living in single-parent households. Moreover, the increase in screen time may have persisted until January 2021 for elementary school students in single-parent households. On average, while live online classes mitigated the effects of decreased learning time for junior high school students, that effect is not found for low academic achievers.

Suggested Citation

  • NISHIHATA Masaya & KOBAYASHI Yohei, 2022. "Inequalities in Student Learning and Screen Time Due to COVID-19: Evidence from Japan," Discussion papers 22107, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    • Handle: RePEc:eti:dpaper:22107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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