Education lost, labor gained: A systematic review of COVID-19's impact on children in South Asia

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a multifaceted crisis that disrupted educational access and increased child labour, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review examines the impact of COVID-19 on children aged 5–17 in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh three South Asian countries with pre-existing structural vulnerabilities. Using the PRISMA framework, 36 peer-reviewed studies and organizational reports published between 2020 and 2025 were analysed to assess pandemic-related changes in educational delivery, equity, and child labour participation. Findings reveal that prolonged school closures, digital exclusion, and economic shocks severely limited educational access and drove many children into informal and hazardous labour. Girls, rural populations, and marginalized communities were disproportionately affected. The review also highlights the fragmented and often insufficient nature of policy responses, which tended to address education and child labour in isolation. The review highlights the need for integrated, equity-driven recovery strategies that combine digital inclusion, social protection, and targeted re-engagement initiatives. It calls for more longitudinal research to assess the long-term implications of the pandemic on child welfare. These findings have immediate relevance for education policymakers, child protection advocates, and development practitioners working to build resilient systems in the post-pandemic context.