JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Tuesday called on all member states to intensify their efforts to uphold the right to education as a key strategy to mitigate and recover from the damaging effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and to achieve sustainable development goals. In a statement issued to mark “International Literacy Day,” the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission said the ongoing pandemic has significantly affected the school systems around the world. It stressed that these challenges require global cooperation, including the sharing of technologies and learning practices based on a human rights approach to help those left behind and promote inclusive education to all learners. According to the latest UNESCO statistics, during 2020, schools were closed, disrupting the education of 62.3 percent of the world’s student population. “Governments should invest in preparing, empowering, and motivating the education workforce, especially teachers, to continue their noble mission,” it said.