Publication type
Report
Author
Publication date
July 24, 2020
Summary:
This paper has drawn on evidence available up to 10 July 2020. Further evidence on this topic is constantly published and DELVE will continue to develop this report as it is prepared for publication. This independent overview of the science has been provided in good faith by subject experts. DELVE and the Royal Society accept no legal liability for decisions made based on this evidence.
Summary:
As we move into a phase of continuously reviewing decisions to keep schools open or shut, we need to recognise there are risks from having schools open and risks from having schools shut. In open schools, the risks to pupils themselves from COVID-19 are very low, though there are risks to school staff, parents/carers and the wider community. Closing schools causes loss of learning and deterioration in children’s mental and physical health, for example. Keeping schools shut increases inequalities, in both children’s education achievement and their long-term prospects. The goal of “levelling up” therefore needs schools to be open. Keeping schools open is also the key to unlocking the rest of the economy, allowing parents to leave teaching to teachers and return to their own jobs. The evidence on the infection risk from school opening is limited, though to date it suggests that the risk from opening schools, relative to restarting many other activities, is not as high. The experience of most other countries which have already taken this step supports this. By contrast, the evidence on the negative impact of closing schools is considerable and robust.
The report sets out this case in detail. The aim is to provide an evidence framework for understanding the risks involved in re-opening and re-closing schools.
The key issues are the effect of schools closing and re-opening on:
1) risks from infection,
2) risks from loss of skills and increases in inequality,
3) risks to child and parent mental health,
4) risks from parents not being able to return to work.
The report addresses each these in turn, describing first the current state of knowledge, and second, the steps that we can take to collect more data specific to the UK to inform future decisions.
Subjects
Link
https://rs-delve.github.io/reports/2020/07/24/balancing-the-risk-of-pupils-returning-to-schools.html
Notes
References: Benzeval, M., Booker, C.L., Burton, J., Crossley, T.F., Jäckle, A., Kumari, M., and Read, B. (2020) ‘Briefing note COVID-19 survey: health and caring’, Understanding Society Working Paper Series, No. 2020-11. Colchester: University of Essex. Institute for Social and Economic Research.; Benzeval, M., Borkowska, M., Burton, J., Crossley, T.F., Fumagalli, L., Jäckle, A., … Read, B. (2020) ‘Briefing note COVID-19 survey: home schooling’, Understanding Society Working Paper Series, No. 2020-12. Colchester: University of Essex. Institute for Social and Economic Research.
Online report
#526196