Reopening schools in a context of low COVID-19 contagion: consequences for teachers, students and their parents

Anna Godøy,Maja Weemes Grøtting,Rannveig Kaldager Hart

doi:10.1007/s00148-021-00882-x

Anna Godøy, Maja Weemes Grøtting + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-021-00882-x

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Abstract

Knowing how school reopenings affect the spread of COVID-19 is crucial when balancing children’s right to schooling with contagion management. This paper considers the effects on COVID-19 testing prevalence and the positive test rate of reopening Norwegian schools after a 6-week closure aimed at reducing contagion. We estimate the effects of school reopening on teachers, parents and students using an event study/difference-in-differences design that incorporates comparison groups with minimal exposure to in-person schooling. We find no evidence that COVID-19 incidence increased following reopening among students, parents or teachers pooled across grade levels. We find some suggestive evidence that infection rates among upper secondary school teachers increased; however, the effects are small and transitory. At low levels of contagion, schools can safely be reopened when other social distancing policies remain in place.

Highlights

During the spring of 2020, schools across the world were closed as part of an effort to curb the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
We find no evidence that COVID-19 incidence increased following reopening among students, parents or teachers pooled across grade levels
Using a difference-in-difference approach, we find no evidence that school reopenings significantly increased the incidence of COVID-19 among affected students, parents, or teachers pooled across grade levels

Summary

Introduction

During the spring of 2020, schools across the world were closed as part of an effort to curb the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. School closures of this dimension are unprecedented in modern history (Insights For Education 2020). Studies from Japan suggest that school closures can have deterimental effects on the health of mothers (Yamamura and Tsustsui 2021) and children (Takaku and Yokoyama 2020). Due to their potentially detrimental consequences, school closures have been among the most controversial virus containment policies. All health care workers were prohibited from international travel (The Norwegian Directorate of Health 2020)

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