The COVID-19 pandemic – 9 months on: The Smith Family uncovers compounding challenges for families living in disadvantage

Children’s education charity, The Smith Family, is highlighting significant ongoing concerns around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and families experiencing disadvantage, as the nation builds towards recovery.

The November Insights Snapshot brings together observations from families, schools and Smith Family teams on the ground in some of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities, to provide insight into the capacity of children and young people to continue their schoolwork in a year of disruption and uncertainty. A complex picture has unfolded.

“COVID-19 has exacerbated already challenging and stressful circumstances for our families and students. As we near the end of the school year, further student assistance will be needed in Term 4 and beyond. Keeping young people engaged in their learning is vital,” said CEO of The Smith Family, Dr Lisa O’Brien.

The Smith Family works with 700 Australian schools, supporting 57,000 students experiencing poverty on its Learning for Life education program, so is uniquely placed to provide an insider’s look at what is happening in disadvantaged communities.

The situation is particularly acute in Victoria, where students and families have experienced the longest lockdowns. There are concerns around Victorian students disengaging from school because of the extended disruption, with some senior students supported by The Smith Family saying they feel like giving up and do not see the point of continuing school. There’s also concern that many have slipped behind in their learning.

“Even before COVID-19, we knew the education gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students, at age 15, is equivalent to around three years of schooling. We’re fearful that this gap will have increased even further, particularly in Victoria,” said Dr O’Brien. “A loss of weekly routines, an erosion of the boundaries between school, home and leisure, and a lack of extracurricular activities have also increased anxiety levels around education.”

Fallout from the pandemic has taken a toll nationwide as well, adding another layer of complexity to already full lives.

“We’ve been told some families lacking digital resources for their children’s remote learning, created additional financial burden for themselves, by purchasing more devices,” said Dr O’Brien.

“Senior secondary students are being faced with a rapidly changing landscape for post-school options. We’re worried about the future career prospects especially for students from low income families, who tend to have more limited labour market knowledge and far fewer industry connections and opportunities.”

Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have also expressed concern that being disconnected from country, from extended family and from their cultural practices, has impacted their wellbeing and mental health.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed the need for the whole community to work together to tackle issues of equity and disadvantage. In response to challenges posed this year, governments, schools, corporations, philanthropists and the community at large have moved to support vulnerable students. This is a welcome first step, but students experiencing disadvantage will need more support long-term, as the nation builds towards its recovery,” said Dr O’Brien.

“Supporting children to achieve at school, year after year, is the best way to help them break the cycle of poverty.”

Download the full report [PDF 0.2MB]

-ENDS-

Media Enquiries:
Natasha Surdich, Media Advisor, 0431 525 989, Natasha.Surdich@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians in need to succeed at school, so they can create better futures for themselves. Visit thesmithfamily.com.au.