Graphic courtesy of MHPSD #76.

By Alex McCuaig

School survey

Majority of parents, students OK with return to school, suggests public school board survey

Jul 27, 2020 | 4:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The public school board’s parent and student survey conducted last month on a return to in-person classes reveals a majority are comfortable going back to school this fall.

In the survey conducted in the beginning in June and released Friday afternoon, 61 per cent of parents and 60 per cent of students say they are comfortable with a return to school in five weeks.

It also confirms what many parents have been saying anecdotally about online learning – that while they appreciated teachers’ efforts, it was difficult.

Of the 2,300 parents and 750 students who took part in the Medicine Hat Public School Division survey, more than half expressed concerns about outcomes from online learning.

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The online learning system was rapidly deployed following the sudden March 15 announcement closing schools across the province.

For parents, nearly three-quarters felt online learning impacted their children’s ability to build and maintain relationships with fellow students and teachers as well as learning in general.

Nearly half of parent respondents say they will be able to support parent-guided online learning again due to work, childcare or other obligations.

Just over half the students disagreed with the question that online classes, “had a positive impact on my learning.” Only 23 per cent agreed online classes were beneficial.

The wearing of masks was also covered in the survey, with 52 per cent of parents saying they would be uncomfortable with such a protocol.

Exact statistics regarding how students felt about masks weren’t reported but the survey indicated, “many do not want to wear masks at school.”

Fewer than 40 per cent of both parents and students think it’s important to have enhanced physical distancing in schools.

Half of both students and parents felt it is important to have hand sanitizer, enhanced cleaning and stricter protocols for sick staff and students.

While students and parents appeared close in most of the responses, there was one notable exception – ridership on school buses.

For parents, 45 per cent were comfortable putting their kids on buses with 38 per cent of students feeling the same way.

In-person public school classes across the city are scheduled to begin Aug. 31.