In Germany, one reason for keeping older kids at school is the fear that underprivileged children would be disadvantaged by distance learning (not having the necessariy technology, not having a quite room for themselves, having less parental support) thereby further widening social disparities in school outcomes that are already being seen as highly problematic without that effect.
(I am explaining the policy here, not defending it.)
An interesting question is what leads to this kind of reasoning?
Of course, in theory it could be a set of preferences, assigning a very high value to the learning chances of underpriviledged groups compared to the health of mostly elder people. But that is not very likely because in that case this quite extreme set of preferences should manifest itself in other political decisions, too. Which it doesn’t.
I suppose it is a little bit of magical thinking—implicitly thinking the virus can be negotiated with, if the goal of a public policy is worthy enough.
In Germany, one reason for keeping older kids at school is the fear that underprivileged children would be disadvantaged by distance learning (not having the necessariy technology, not having a quite room for themselves, having less parental support) thereby further widening social disparities in school outcomes that are already being seen as highly problematic without that effect.
(I am explaining the policy here, not defending it.)
I do hear similar arguments a lot. It’s a hell of a reason to not deal with a pandemic, but that’s where we are.
An interesting question is what leads to this kind of reasoning?
Of course, in theory it could be a set of preferences, assigning a very high value to the learning chances of underpriviledged groups compared to the health of mostly elder people. But that is not very likely because in that case this quite extreme set of preferences should manifest itself in other political decisions, too. Which it doesn’t.
I suppose it is a little bit of magical thinking—implicitly thinking the virus can be negotiated with, if the goal of a public policy is worthy enough.