The company, which awards GCSE and A-level qualifications, as well as testing applicants for driving licences, was hit after schools and test centres shut due to the virus crisis.
Pearson said sales in the six months to June 30 fell 17% to £1.5 billion.
It recorded an adjusted operating loss of £23 million, compared to a operating profit of £144 million a year earlier.
But Pearson added however that it has seen higher demand for digital learning products such as online degrees, and that sales improved in June.
The FTSE 100 company predicts a bounce back in the second half as lockdown measures ease. It declared an interim dividend of 6p per share.
Fallon, said: "Covid-19 has had a major impact on trading, but we are encouraged by the improving trends and pick up in sales in June.
"Uncertainty remains, but the purpose, grit, speed and ingenuity shown by Pearson colleagues is helping educators and learners around the world to adapt to the pandemic and will ensure that the company itself emerges stronger from it.”
He added: “The long-term shift to online learning is accelerating. The lead indicators of digital take up of our products are encouraging.”
