The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s education is not over, one of Australia’s leading charities is warning.
A new survey from the Smith Family found one in two parents and carers felt the pandemic was still making learning difficult for their children.
Roughly three-quarters of parents and carers worried about their children’s future schoolwork and had struggled to help their children during the pandemic.
Two-thirds of parents and carers said the virus made it hard to start school this year.
It comes as the charity kicks off its latest Winter Appeal, hoping to raise $5.4 million nationally to support 12,000 students through mentoring and after school programs.
COVID-19 has forced schools to shut their doors throughout the pandemic with experts worried about the long-term effects on students.
Teachers across the public and private sector have taken strike actions as they call for more pay and better conditions.
Smith Family chief executive Doug Taylor said disadvantaged students had been at risk of falling behind at school even before the virus arrived.
“We’re seeing a widening educational gap reflected in the (NAPLAN) data and we’re hearing directly from families that they’re worried about their children’s education,” Mr Taylor said.
(AAP)
