Uncovering and Tackling Educational Inequalities Caused by the Pandemic: Parents’ Perspectives for Equitable Education in Malta

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic enforced the immediate closure of schools, demanding schools to offer remote teaching to children who were isolated in their homes. However, not all schools and educators were ready, skillful and motivated to meet the challenges of the shift to online modes of teaching and learning.  As a result, families were affected unequally, and existing educational inequalities became wider and more pervasive. Children from lower-educated and socio-economic backgrounds were the most affected as they had less access to technological resources and less support from their parents.  In this regard, the aim of this study was to explore the educational inequalities that were amplified by the pandemic as experienced by children aged 0 – 11 years, from their parents’ perspective.  Quantitative data was gathered through two questionnaires which were conducted in September 2020 and 2021 about school closure.  This study analyses the different inequalities experienced by children when schools shifted to remote teaching, including the different levels of responsiveness and support provided by schools.   Data shows that children and their families experienced inequalities in the provision of online teaching and support provided by schools, which resulted in disengagement and learning loss.

Keywords: educational inequality, equitable education, parents’ perspectives, remote teaching, pandemic

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-12-02

Publication date: April 30^th 2023