HYDERABAD: With the threat of Omicron variant on the horizon, more parents are unlikely to send their children for in-person school, according to a survey.
The survey conducted by Local Circles, which received 15,875 responses from across the country, revealed that a 14% drop in in-person attendance is expected this week with another 5-10% drop once Omicron cases are reported in India. The survey received responses from parents residing in 308 districts from across India.
While 63% participants were men, 37% were women. There were 43% respondents from tier 1 districts, 30% from tier 2, and 27% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts. About 58% of parents surveyed are currently sending their children to school. While about 32% are parents mostly with younger children and for about 10% of parents schools have not resumed in-person classes yet.
“Of 58% that were sending children to school, 14% will stop doing so post the threat of Omicron. Once the first case is reported in India, another 5% of parents are likely to stop sending children to school, and once multiple cases are reported another 5% are likely to do so leaving only 34% of parents still sending children to school,” read the survey.
