The ‘digital divide’ and other learning related challenges remain major issues according to a new survey by The Smith Family

The children’s education charity is urging Australians to give generously this Christmas, to help thousands of students struggling after another disruptive year of learning due to COVID-19. 

After almost two years of the COVID crisis, The Smith Family says digital inequity remains an overwhelming challenge for the students and families it supports – as do concerns around the impact of lost learning and a lack of motivation for many schoolchildren.

The findings are revealed in a new national Smith Family Pulse Survey of the organisation’s front-line team members, who work with children throughout their schooling. The survey looked at the cumulative impact of the pandemic related 2020-21 lockdowns, on children and their education and found:

• Around three quarters (77%) of Smith Family support workers said that based on feedback from parents or schools, the students they support have missed learning as a direct result of COVID and/or lockdowns. 
•  75% of family support workers also said they had seen an impact on students’ motivation to learn as a direct result of COVID and/or lockdowns.
•  Based on what families and schools are telling them, 3 in 4 (75%) survey respondents also said that some students are at risk of disengaging with their learning as a result of disruption caused by COVID, with 45% of family support workers surveyed saying some students are at risk of not returning to school when they fully reopen, or in 2022.
• 87% of family support workers surveyed said that digital issues are continuing to impact on students and families, from a lack of access to devices and reliable internet, to a lack of digital skills or capability. 

“While in many instances devices and internet access have been arranged for those students who need them, a concerning ‘skills gap’ means that children in disadvantaged households continue to struggle to make the most of this technology. Low levels of digital literacy are a huge issue for some of the families we support. We’re working hard to help address this skills gap, but so much more still needs to be done” said The Smith Family’s CEO, Doug Taylor. 

 “We’re also really worried about the extent to which COVID and the extended lockdowns in Victoria, New South Wales and ACT in particular, have exacerbated extremely challenging and stressful circumstances for students and their families living in disadvantage, which existed even before the pandemic.

“Lockdowns have led some students to become disengaged with their education, with parents and caregivers anxious and struggling to keep their children motivated. This is a particular issue in states and territories where lockdowns have been prolonged.” 

“Our data also suggests that the extended lockdown in Victoria during 2020 negatively impacted on the literacy and numeracy skills of the primary school students The Smith Family supports, despite the best efforts of students, families and teachers. We’re concerned that there may have been similar impacts for students in Victoria, ACT and NSW this year given their long lockdowns in 2021,” said Doug Taylor.

“Our survey with frontline staff also identified other concerning issues impacting on families such as increased financial stress, poor mental health, escalating pressures on parents and caregivers, and oversubscribed support services. All these issues ultimately affect our children’s ability to learn and stay engaged with their education.”

The Smith Family is appealing to Australians to support children in need this Christmas, to ensure that thousands of students living in disadvantage can return to their learning in 2022, with the vital support they need to successfully continue their education journey and go on to further study.

The organisation aims to raise $4.9 million nationally through its annual Christmas Appeal, to provide more than 11,600 children with access to essential learning and mentoring programs to help them stay engaged at school - which is particularly critical at this moment in the nation’s history.

“This Christmas we’re asking for your support to make sure students in need can return to school next year with the support and resources they need to manage the on-going impact of COVID on their education. This will help relieve the overwhelming pressure that students and their families are currently facing,” said Doug Taylor.

Australians can help change the course of a child’s life this Christmas by: 

• Making a donation that will give Australian students in need extra learning support to help them make the most of their education next year and beyond.
•  Purchasing an Internet Access Pack, Catch Up Pack and/or a Closing the Gap pack to ensure children are equipped to excel in 2022 
•  Sponsoring a child through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, which provides students with long-term, wrap-around support for their education 

 Giving back and volunteering your time, skills and energy to support The Smith Family’s life-changing work 

For more information, go to www.thesmithfamily.com.au or call 1800 024 069

Direct quotes from The Smith Family Pulse Survey and front-line team members: 

“Some families have told me they have completely stopped homeschooling due to issues around accessing digital devices and internet data and a lack of digital skills.” (Family support worker, ACT)

 
“I have children who are attempting to access classes on phones.” (Family support worker, VIC)

“Many students are very fatigued and uncertain about the future. It's hard to keep up hope and have drive and motivation when the surrounding circumstances around them are so uncertain.” (Family support worker, VIC) 

 “A lot of work recently for me has been about keeping parents motivated too. Parents are struggling with unmotivated and disengaged children, and they too have had enough. I bumped into a mum at the local shop and she was in tears.” (Family support worker, NSW)

“I have seen schools (that The Smith Family has partnerships with) go above and beyond to support students and families during COVID lockdowns.” (Family support worker, WA)

EDITOR’S NOTES

The Smith Family Pulse Survey was open to all team members (Family Partnership Coordinators, Program Coordinators and Team Leaders) who work directly with children, young people, parents and carers. There was a total of 134 respondents from communities in need across the country, each who are connected to hundreds of students and families. It was conducted between 30 September and 8 October 2021.

To view survey findings click here.

On family support workers at The Smith Family

Family Partnership Coordinator - team member working with families supported on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life educational support program, in partner schools and local communities. 

Program Coordinator - team member overseeing the delivery of The Smith Family’s learning and mentoring programs, in partner schools and local communities.

Team Leader - leads a team of FPCs and PCs, often across multiple locations and communities. 

Tertiary Coordinator - team member supporting students pursuing further education – TAFE and University, across multiple locations and communities.

B-roll, photos and CEO soundbites available here

Media Enquiries:
Dara Mulholland, Media Advisor | Ph. 0481 062 604 | dara.mulholland@thesmithfamily.com.au
Sophie Eaton, Media Advisor | Ph. 0447 571 397| sophie.eaton@thesmithfamily.com.au