Round three of the University of Johannesburg (UJ)/Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Covid-19 Democracy survey has revealed that 53% of adults think schools should not re-open until the situation concerning the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic improves.                                             

Schools are due to open on January 27 as infections continue to rise.              

The online survey was undertaken by the Centre for Social Change at UJ in partnership with the Development, Capable and Ethical State programme of the HSRC.

It further revealed that 19% of adults believe that schools should re-open for grade 7 and grade 12 learners only, while another 19% think schools should re-open for all grades.

Nine percent of adults ‘don’t know’ what measures should be taken.

The survey was conducted online between December 30, 2020 and January 6, 2021 and was completed by 10 618 participants.

The survey revealed that 52% of men and 53% of women believe schools should not re-open until the situation improves.

Fifty-three percent of those earning less that R1 000 a month were against schools re-opening, compared with 41% of those who earned over R20 000 a month.

Attitudes to the re-opening of schools also differed by race.

Indian adults were the most strongly opposed to schools re-opening, with 77% saying that schools should not re-open until the situation improves. Sixty-three percent of coloured adults and 52% of black African adults do not believe schools should re-open.

Only 37% of white adults were opposed to the re-opening of schools.