More parents missing work due to COVID-19 in schools: survey

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The return to in-classroom education this fall is putting a new burden on families as many parents are missing work, or even giving up their jobs.

A new poll published by Abacus Data found 13 per cent of parents surveyed have had a child sent home because of COVID-19 related symptoms just one month into the school year.

The study reports about 960,000 parents have waited more than a day for test results and have had to miss work, while close to 600,000 have quit or changed jobs because of child care challenges in the past few weeks.

“This poll is really putting into stark spotlight what is true for many parents across the country and for kids that the return to school as been really tough and it’s taking a toll on children and their families,” said Sarah Austin with Children First Canada.

The poll also found 50 per cent of parents have opted for virtual classes or learning pods and 11 per cent said their children have not had a teacher in their classroom.

Many parents are having to miss time at work to have their child tested which has brought its own set of challenges.

RELATED: Study examines kids’ mental health in school during pandemic

The survey found over 80 per cent have waited longer than one day for results while 32 per cent have waited more than three days.

“What we’re seeing is the need for better testing,” said Austin. “Not only for rapid testing to avoid wait times for kids and parents, but also to get rapid results so parents are not missing multiple days of work and kids are not missing multiple days of school.”

Austin also said employers need to be more flexible to allow parents to take the time they need for testing and caring for their kids if they’re sick with COVID-19.

“Children simply have not been a high enough priority for all levels of government. Kids and their families are really struggling, they’ve paid a very heavy toll because of the result of the lockdown and now the return to school.”

Another key part of the poll focused on the mental health of kids, which has been adversely affected by the pandemic.

About one in four parents said their kids are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or worried about what’s happening at school.

Ontario and B.C. have recently changed rules requiring children with sniffles and other minor symptoms to have a COVID-19 test before returning to school.

Austin said this may be helpful for other provinces, but will have to watch to see if the changes have any effect.

“While this may reduce the need to line up for hours at a time, it still means that many parents must take time off to care for a child or pay for additional childcare. For some families, this may be a minor inconvenience, but for many that are vulnerable – particularly single parents, recent immigrants, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities – this disruption to their income can be devastating.”

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