The effects of the Corona virus pandemic are being felt everywhere. Chalkface is trying to keep abreast of the implications on education around the world. This article from The Independent is looking at the impact this virus is having on fee paying schools in the UK.
Private schools in the UK are facing a battle for survival in the face of the coronavirus crisis as parents who have lost their income cancel direct debits and overseas pupils who have gone home decide whether to return.
As the economic fallout from the pandemic begins to bite, there are fears that a number of smaller independent schools, which are already struggling, will be driven out of business. Many are offering fee discounts of anything from 10% right up to 50% for the summer term to take into account the fact that schools have closed and are only able to offer an online education. Others are offering rebates for meals, transport and extra-curricular activities.
There is also uncertainty about overseas pupils, most of who have now gone home though a number remain stranded in the UK, being cared for by their schools. According to the Independent Schools Council (ISC), there are around 55,000 overseas pupils in ISC schools, of which almost 10,000 are Chinese, 5,000 are from Hong Kong.
“We don’t know how many of the children want to come back, and even if they do want to come back, whether they will be able to leave their country, or whether their country is still going to be in lockdown,” said Roskilly (Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Association).
This is an extremely worrying time for parents and students everywhere.
Photo / Image Credit :
"Some students standing on a street corner" by PikRepo under licensed to Creative Commons Zero - CC0
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