A few days before the start of the school year, young Quebecers can’t wait for school to start again, while more than one in two children (54%) say they are enthusiastic and eager to return to class.
As for the parents of these young people, they are less likely (56%) to worry about seeing their child return to school at the end of the summer than the Canadian average (66%).
Photo Chantal Poirier
Jean-Marc Léger. President Léger
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At least that’s what a weekly Leger poll commissioned by The Canadian Press, conducted between August 14 and 16, 2020 among 1,510 Canadians and 1,001 Americans.
So, “52% of Quebecers say they are afraid of contracting COVID-19, while the Canadian average is 61%. Everything is connected, because it is in Quebec that we are less afraid, ”observes the president and founder of the firm, Jean-Marc Léger. “It might explain why kids are less nervous about going back to class and parents less worried. “
One-third of respondents with school-aged children are in favor of wearing a mask on a daily basis for students, and the approval rate for this measure climbs to 80% for teachers and employees.
Many on the benches
As the start of the school year approaches, many parents seem reassured.
The vast majority (75%) intend to send their child (ren) to school this fall, compared to 63% nationwide.
In the United States, the management of the health crisis of President Donald Trump, pointed out several times, seems to have cooled some parents, because only 41% of Americans want to send their child to the school benches.
Closure of schools
However, Quebec schools have a little leeway with the population.
“People want to send young people back to school, but if we see an increase in COVID-19 cases in the community, 53% believe that all classes should be suspended and that learning should be transferred to home classes », Explains Mr. Léger.
Once again, Canadians are more cautious with 69% in favor of closing schools if there is a surge in cases.
“In English Canada, parents clearly don’t mind closing schools if there is an increase in cases,” said Jean-Marc Léger.
In Quebec, 70% believe that there will be a second wave of the virus, and, in Canada, this climbs to 79%, according to the same survey. Americans have a more optimistic view, while 68% believe in the second wave.
*Methodology
Survey of 1,510 Canadians and 1,001 Americans over 18, between August 14 and August 16, 2020 using CAWI computer-assisted web interview technology.
The margin of error is plus or minus 2.52%, 19 times out of 20 for the Canadian sample and ± 3.1%, and this 19 times out of 20 for the US sample.
- Nervous and anxious to go back to class
- Enthusiastic and eager to return to class
- Do not know
FEELINGS OF CHILDREN REGARDING RETURN TO SCHOOL
CANADA
QUÉBEC
INTENTION TO SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL
CANADA
QUÉBEC
* Source: Léger weekly survey
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