Covid-19: Parents want kids back in class

A nationwide poll reveals parents are concerned about the emotional and educational toll of COVID-19 lockdowns on young people and want schools to reopen as a matter of priority.

Penny Kehoe with, from left, Olivia, Sophia and Billy at home in Rosebery, Sydney, on Tuesday. Picture: Nikki Short

Parents concerned about the toll of lockdowns on young people want schools to remain open during future coronavirus outbreaks, with almost two-thirds saying they would vaccinate their children if the option were available.

With three states enforcing lockdowns, a nationwide poll by UNICEF Australia has high­lighted the anxieties of Australian families concerned that remote learning is no match for being in a classroom.

Two-thirds of respondents were worried about learning loss during the pandemic, with 27 per cent concerned their children would be unable to catch up; and ­almost half believed their children did not receive enough teaching support during lockdowns.

As a result, 7 per cent of families reported hiring private tutors.

UNICEF Australia chief executive Tony Stuart said it was important parents’ views were heard. “There is clearly no substitute for face-to-face learning and the benefits the school environment brings to children’s education experience,” he said.

“Children’s health must come first, but it is also important we have a clear path back to classrooms. Schools and parents are doing their best to provide learning in very challenging circumstances but the quality of teaching provided in classrooms simply cannot be achieved remotely while students have limited contact with teachers and parents have work commitments.”

While the impact of repeated lockdowns on educational outcomes remains largely unknown, there is mounting evidence young people are struggling mentally, emotionally and socially.

A report released in July by Victoria’s Commission for Children and Young People revealed that mental health was declining, with 50 per cent of teenagers ­reporting feeling “bad or terrible”, compared with 38 per cent in ­November.

Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg described the current situation as “untenable … We must rethink school lockdowns – the psychological toll is crippling. We will not be able to vaccinate these effects away.”

The UNICEF poll canvased more than 1000 parents in early August as NSW schools remained closed for a fourth week.

Asked why they wanted children to return to school, 70 per cent said it was for mental health and socialisation, closely followed by learning benefits (68 per cent).

Almost 40 per cent said they wanted schools to reopen to “take the pressure off at home”.

According to the respondents, the best way to protect children at school was by vaccinating teachers and mandating masks.

Rosebery parent Penny Kehoe in Sydney’s inner south has been juggling university study with helping her three primary school-age children learn at home. While Sophia, 11, and ­Olivia, 9, are relatively self-sufficient, Billy, who is in Year 2, needs continual support.

Ms Kehoe is vaccinated but not yet convinced enough evidence supports vaccinating children. She would like to see teachers able to access vaccines, however.

“I’d love to see the children back in school sooner rather than later, but safety has to be the No 1 priority,” she said. “They’re missing out on school, sport, school friends and social interaction.”