eFM News

[Anchor]

Almost 90 percent of students around the world are out of class in an effort to block the spread of COVID-19.

The matter of how long schools should remain closed is tricky as the fight against the coronavirus shows no signs of letting up.

While some say the virus should take precedence, others are questioning the effectiveness of closures and its sustainability in the long run.

Ron Chang reports.

[Reporter]

For Annabelle Ambrose, a preschool teacher working at a British international school in Seoul, the suspension of classes is not a cause for concern.

[Clip: Ambrose: 00:11]
"Children are incredible. You might think, just because they're not in school, that they're not making progress, but often, young children, teenagers, they're learning all the time."

While noting the challenges of online classes, she said her students will not be going back to school until it's safe.

Suejean Hong, principal of Animo Inglewood Charter High School in Southern California, echoed that view.

[Clip: Hong: 00:12]
"I think the most important thing is that we are able to create a healthy and safe space for our students, our teachers. I think most educators would be willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we can ensure that."

On the flip side, some are questioning the sustainability and effectiveness of school closures as the coronavirus seems to have less of an impact on children.

Ben Cowling, professor of public health at the University of Hong Kong, said it's not yet known whether children can easily spread COVID-19.

[Clip: Cowling: 00:14]
"There must be some children who can spread infection and there's a report in the scientific literature of some children spreading infection. But there's no clear evidence on how effective the school closures would be and they are quite disruptive to society so there is trade-off."

But many experts say children are not the only ones at risk if schools remain open as there are also many employed adults and elderly such as teachers, janitors and other workers.

Ron Chang, eFM News.■