Scottish Covid Inquiry hears of increased parent-teacher disputes post-pandemic

Educational institutions are encountering increased disputes with parents regarding their children’s conduct following the Covid pandemic, a public inquiry has been informed. The Scottish Covid Inquiry is receiving testimony concerning the pandemic’s effects across all educational tiers. School Leaders Scotland (SLS), the organization representing school heads, indicated that its members have observed an uptick in parents refusing to acknowledge their children’s misbehavior since the pandemic. The SLS proposed that certain parents were choosing “the path of least resistance” with their offspring. The inquiry commenced its proceedings last year, having previously examined the pandemic’s repercussions on individuals utilizing health and social care provisions. Currently, it is gathering accounts from those directly involved in education. Graham Hutton, who serves as the general secretary for the SLS and previously worked as a head teacher in Dundee, informed the inquiry that issues with student behaviour and attendance constituted one of the pandemic’s “hidden consequences.” Mr Hutton stated: “What I’m hearing from my colleagues is there has been a rise in the amount of arguments they are having with parents which they probably wouldn’t have had in the past.” Mr Hutton noted that situations where parents were “absolutely adamant that their child is right even when evidence is put to them” have become more frequent. He further commented: “In many ways it looks to us as if they take the path of least resistance.” He elaborated: “They have maybe not been able to deal appropriately with young people when they have been off school and therefore they have allowed young people to do as they wish or been rather weak with setting parameters.” Educational institutions in Scotland experienced years of interruption throughout the Covid pandemic, encompassing complete and partial closures, remote education, and significant alterations to student assessment methods. Mr Hutton remarked: “The pandemic did have negative impact right across the board, we were not prepared for it. In many ways we were fumbling around in the dark to make sure we did the best by our young people.” The SLS asserted that the existing structure of Scotland’s schools and the methods for student testing are no longer adequate and necessitate substantial reforms. Lord Brailsford, the inquiry’s chairman, characterized these submissions as “forceful and potent” and indicated they would be taken into account by the investigation he is overseeing. Previously, the inquiry had received testimony on how the pandemic affected higher and further education. Matt Crilly, who served as the National Union of Students of Scotland president from July 2020 to June 2022, stated that concerns about losing revenue from international student fees were a primary factor in the decision to reopen Scotland’s universities amidst the pandemic. He explained: “The highest single source of income for many of our universities comes from international students and my understanding at that time is that there was a fear that (if) learning was to be delivered exclusively or predominately online… many international students may not want to enrol on a £20,000 a year fee-paying course.” Mr Crilly further noted that during this period, a “breakdown of trust” occurred among students towards those in authority, as students felt they were instructed to attend in person only to subsequently experience a “semi-official lockdown.” He also mentioned that students in such circumstances felt “isolated from the rest of society.” He informed the inquiry: “Essentially, they felt like they were being seen as the cause of the pandemic and the cause of the virus spreading.” He continued: “They felt that they were being judged because of that, despite the fact that they were told that they had to be there, and they had to arrive on campus to take part in their education.” The inquiry additionally learned that numerous students in higher and further education lacked personal computers necessary for online learning when in-person instruction was once more halted. An instance cited involved a student attempting to complete a dissertation using their mobile phone. The inquiry, presided over by Lord Brailsford, is ongoing. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.