Parents are less likely to be scared of pandemic than their child illiteracy: 93% support face to face instruction; three-quarters say that the remote learning has a lower quality.

MOSCOW, September 08, 2020 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a study devoted to the educational format parents would choose for their children as well as what they think about school safety measures.

An absolute majority of Russians whose children or grandchildren go to school (93%) agree that students should go back to traditional schools. They consider that face-to-face learning facilitates communication and socialization (30%), provides a better quality of education (20%), gives more knowledge (17%), a direct contact with a teacher (16%); besides that parents cannot teach their children as teachers do (14%).

Four percent of Russians think that children should go on distance learning. They say that at home the possibility to contract coronavirus is lower (69%); there is more control and discipline (17%), or that they just prefer remote learning (12%).

Sixty-eight percent of Russians believe that distance learning has more disadvantages. According to 25%, there are as many advantages as disadvantages; those who think so are mainly parents of high school students (36%).

A shift to distance learning has had a bad impact on the quality of learning; 74% of parents think so (often those who live in metropolitan areas (86%)). Every tenth believes that a new format of learning has had no impact on the learning process.

As far as safety measures are concerned, three-quarters of parents consider that schools are capable of providing a safe environment (76%). They are opposed by 15% represented mainly by metropolitan residents (19%).

Most Russians whose children go to school say that if safety precautions are observed the risks of contracting the coronavirus in schools is nonexistent or really small (7% and 72% respectively). Sixteen percent of Russians point to considerable risk; they are predominantly inhabitants of large cities such as capitals (22%) and million-plus cities (20%). Eight percent of Russians are afraid that their children might contract the coronavirus; 54% are somewhat afraid (mainly parents of high school children — 64%). Every fourth respondent is confident that nothing bad will happen (23%); every seven respondent has not pondered over that (14%).

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on August 27, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone number was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.