Long before COVID-19, Uruguay was the first country in the world to provide one laptop per child and free internet connection through Plan Ceibal. During school closures and now with reopening, the continuation of Plan Ceibal – together with the provision of school meals, scholarships and other complementary social benefits associated with education – helps prevent the most vulnerable students from falling through the cracks. This long-term investment in digital learning has been pivotal to keeping children learning both during lockdown and phased reopening, which balanced in-person and online learning.