Low-cost phone lessons keep children learning during emergency school closures across five countries

September 9, 2026 · 12:00 am 7 sources

Image: Nature

Coverage

Wires & papers of record

• Mobile education builds resilience during shocks in five countries
  Nature · September 9, 2026 00:00
  Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10990-x Remote phone-based targeted tutoring in five countries produced large, cost-effective learning gains during school closures, outperforming text messaging and working effectively when delivered by governments or…
• Phone-based tutoring improves learning during school closures
  Nature · September 9, 2026 00:00
  Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02471-y One-to-one phone sessions substantially increased students’ numeracy test scores in low- and middle-income countries that experience emergencies that disrupt schooling.
• Pick up the phone! Phone calls with tutors keep kids learning when schools shut down
  Nature · September 9, 2026 00:00
  Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02825-6 The low-cost intervention was trialled in five countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Phone-call tutorials improve learning cost-effectively during education emergencies
  Nature · September 9, 2026 00:00
  Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02700-4 Across five randomized trials in India, Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines and Uganda, weekly 20-minute mobile-phone-call tutorials produced large learning gains for primary-school children during school closures caused by the…
• Phone tutoring boosts math scores when schools are forced to close
  Nature · September 9, 2026 00:00
  Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02843-4 Evidence suggests that regular calls can keep kids learning when schooling is disrupted — plus, why a familiar world map may be about to change.
• Daily briefing: Text-message tutoring keeps kids learning when schools close
  Nature · September 10, 2026 00:00
  Nature, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-02888-5 Twenty-minute phone calls from tutors improved children’s maths learning during emergency school closures. Plus, Denisovans made excellent deer hunters and Beatles puns are here, there and everywhere in scientific…

More coverage

• Low-cost phone lessons keep children learning during emergency school closures across five countries
  Phys.org · September 11, 2026 13:20
  The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns forced people to find ways to get things done remotely. Companies developed systems that made working from home run smoothly. Educators also had to shift to mobile phones and group video calls to get their lessons across and make sure students didn't lose out on…