The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pupil engagement and fatigue issues from schooling at home increasing
An Education Scotland report into home learning has highlighted concerns over the level of engagement from some pupils during the current lockdown, as well as parent and teacher fatigue.
The report, which is part of the national overview of the delivery of remote learning announced by John Swinney last month, outlined that most schools have reported there were pupils not engaging in home learning.
Teacher and parent fatigue was also highlighted, with the report showing that concerns were increasing over their wellbeing as home learning continues.
A total of 123 schools, including 79 primary, 35 secondary and nine additional needs schools, were interviewed for the latest report.
If confirmed by the first minister today, pupils in years P1-3 will return to in-class learning on February 22, with childcare and nursery facilities also set for reopening.
However, senior pupils will only re-enter the classroom on a part time basis to complete practical course work for their national qualifications.
The report showed that out of the schools interviewed, “almost all” highlighted that some children and young people are neither engaging regularly in their own learning nor with staff.
It was also noted that pupils studying vocational qualifications appeared to be engaging less in home learning than those studying for National 5s and Highers.
The report read: “A few schools express concern that young people who undertake vocational qualifications, for example foundation apprenticeships, are not engaging as well with online learning as their peers who undertake national qualifications.
“Many schools express concern about the implications for learner progression and pathways for these young people.”
The findings come after figures showed a significant number of pupils in Fife were not participating in online learning.
While all secondary schools in the kingdom said at least half of their pupils were engaging with remote learning during January, only 55% reported that over three-quarters were engaging.
This prompted Councillor Colin Davidson, a teacher and former teaching union leader, to claim that some S4 leavers have already switched off from school and will stay away without gaining any qualifications.
Among the measures being taken to mitigate the lack of engagement are staff reaching out to learners who are not attending planned lessons and activities, and encouraging and supporting them to re-engage with learning.
However, the report noted that “schools would benefit from additional, targeted support and resources to help children and young people engage, and cope with the impact of Covid on their wellbeing.”
It was also noted that “many schools would welcome further support on how they can improve young people’s engagement in learning, in particular for learners in S1-S3.”
Concerns were also raised about the impact of the continuation of home learning on teachers and parents, with the report highlighting that both were experiencing fatigue.
It read: “Almost all schools are increasingly concerned about the wellbeing of staff. Many highlight that parents are becoming more fatigued as remote learning continues.”