Schools continue to be closed amid the epidemic. A survey found that after switching to online classes, more than 75% of the children experienced regression in academic performance, and more than half of the children often experienced negative emotions and regression in social skills. Some parents had no money to keep their children up to date with their studies. She also gritted her teeth to arrange tuition for her children, with an average cost of 2,269 yuan. Single mothers with part-time jobs earn only 5,000 to 6,000 yuan a month. Affected by the epidemic, they only returned to work for 4 days this month, and they still plan to pay 3,000 yuan for tuition fees.” If you pass one of the four or five subjects, you will need to make up for anything you eat.” Some groups urged the government to face up to the needs of grassroots families and increase support services and subsidies.
The surveyed families spend an average of 2,269.5 yuan on tuition fees
From the 18th of last month to the 7th of this month, the Joint Concern for the Developmental Rights of School Children completed the questionnaires through 405 online questionnaires and telephone interviews, involving 405 families and 752 children, in order to understand the physical and mental learning development and learning situation of children at the grassroots level under the epidemic. And grassroots families' opinions on the government's poverty alleviation policies.
The surveyed households were mainly 3- and 4-person households, accounting for 67% in total, and the households mainly had 1 to 2 children, accounting for 83% in total. A total of 752 grassroots children were involved in the survey.
Nearly half of the interviewed households rented subdivided flats, rooftop houses, beds and other inappropriate accommodation, and 45% lived in public housing units.
The survey results show that 41% of the surveyed families spend $2,000 or more per month on children’s learning support, and 19% spend between 1,500 and 2,000 yuan, mainly including homework remedial classes and cram schools, with an average monthly expenditure of $2,269.5.
On the contrary, children's medical expenses are less, such as general consultation, health assessment, special learning needs training and other expenses. 37% of the interviewed families said that they did not pay, but when needed, nearly 80% of parents said that they could not cope with the sudden medical treatment. cost.
Affected by online classes, 76% of children experience regression in academic performance
The survey found that since schools switched to online learning, 76% of children experienced “regression in academic performance”, 70% of children experienced “vision problems”, and about 56% of children “frequently experienced negative emotions” and “regression in social skills.” Most of the respondents were from grass-roots families and lacked suitable learning tools, such as computers and earphones. In addition, children lacked personal space and were harassed by siblings during their studies, making it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies and prone to "regression in academic performance".
What's more, parents are nervous about their children's studies, and parents and children often have balance conflicts due to learning problems, which will also exacerbate the negative impact of the epidemic on children.
According to the survey, nearly half of the respondents were unable to apply for the Working Family Allowance or the Full Student Financial Assistance Scheme. The main reasons included the application procedures and being accused of failing to provide all supporting documents.
When grassroots families are unable to cope with the expenses of children’s studies or extracurricular activities, 83% of the surveyed families choose to save food and clothing, 61% suspend extracurricular activities, 55% are forced to suspend homework remedial classes or cram schools, and 45% will use their savings or ask relatives and friends. borrowing.
Ms. Zhai is a single mother. She can only do part-time jobs to take care of her son. However, her income has been greatly reduced due to the epidemic.
(Photo by Mo Jiawen)
A single mother who is not working enough to borrow money from relatives and friends insists on her son's tuition
Ms. Zhai, a single mother, lives in a public housing unit in Tin Shui Wai with her 10-year-old son who is studying in Primary 4. Before the epidemic, she worked in a restaurant as a part-time worker with a daily wage of about 5,000 to 6,000 yuan a month. After the epidemic, her income began to be affected. This month, she only works for 4 days, and the time is shortened to 5 hours. The daily salary is only 300 yuan. Due to the huge decrease in income, she has no choice but to stop her son's cram school. The fee is 3,000 yuan, and the income is half of it. 𠵱jiaqu takes online classes, and the grades are poor. If I pass four or five subjects, I have to make up for it.”
Another single mother, Ms. Tang, who lives in a subdivided unit in Kwun Tong, rented a subdivided unit with an area of only 100 square feet in Kwun Tong with her 7-year-old son. Before the epidemic, she was hired by a company as a typist, earning a monthly income. About 9,000 yuan, but the epidemic has seriously affected the company's business, and she was eventually laid off. Currently, she receives about 10,000 yuan in CSSA to live, after deducting 5,000 yuan for rent and utilities, and the remaining 5,000 yuan to cover living expenses. There is also a deduction of about 1,700 yuan for my son's monthly tuition fee, which is very difficult each month. Sometimes I need to buy two meals of rice and ask for more meals, so that the two mothers and sons can share a lunch or dinner.
She pointed out that her income is limited, and she has suspended all interest class expenses. Even her son's toothache can only "let him endure it for two more days and the pain will be gone." However, her knowledge is limited.
The Association believes that in order to effectively improve the physical and mental development and learning of grassroots children under the epidemic, the government must provide targeted support measures. It is recommended that learning support allowances be provided in the new budget. The child allowance, including the working family allowance, should be combined with the working family allowance. Detach the tick from time to time to truly benefit grassroots children; add child medical vouchers to allow children to receive appropriate treatment when they are sick; long-term imitate Singapore and other countries, set up a child development account plan for grassroots children, grassroots families and the government jointly contribute to support children's education expenditure.
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