The changes to income a will have a huge impact on families especially those with children as the costs rise to home-school children during the pandemic, many families just don’t have the resources to fully participate in teaching and learning from home. Buying the items needed which would usually be provided by the school are putting an even bigger financial pressure on families.
“we are now only getting one household income I am struggling to pay household bills because I’m not entitled to any financial support” Michelle, Stockton on Tees.
“I have to go and buy a printer, ink and paper plus more stationary” Donna, Stockton on Tees.
“I know some people don’t have access to the internet and some of the mums I have spoken don’t have a smartphone to be able to access information, god knows what others who are less fortunate are going through, I’m lucky to be financially stable, especially at a time like this” Claire, Stockton on Tees”.
“Luckily my nephew works for a charity where he could print out my sons work, I can’t access it online as I’ve now had my internet disconnected after being laid off from work due to Covid-19” Nic, Stockton on Tees.
We have been in touch with schools and colleges across Stockton, here are some of the questions we have been asking teachers about some of the good practices and challenges they have faced.
- Does your school/college have measures in place for children and families who are not online/do not have access to the internet? If so, what are they?
- What impact do you think that COVID-19 has had on student’s learning?
- Do you think this impact will have a lasting affect?
- What support do you offer to parents struggling with home-schooling their children?
- What are your thoughts on children returning to school/college at the beginning of June?
- Do you have any thoughts on the government’s strategy for education regarding the corona virus?