DETECT Schools

Chief Investigators: Asha Bowen, Donna Cross, Pete Gething 

Investigators: Adele Leahy, Alex Whelan, Ewan Cameron, Francis Mitrou, Hannah Thomas, Joelie Mandzufas, Juli Coffin, Karen Lombardi, Leanne Lester, Marianne Mullane, Matt Cooper, Melanie Epstein, Sherlynn Ang, Steve Zubrick, Tina Barrow

An analysis of data from the DETECT-Schools Study has shown that WA students, their families and teachers have adapted well to the challenges of the pandemic, but many reported higher levels of strain, stress and pressure.

The DETECT-Schools Study was launched in May 2020 as a partnership between the WA Government Departments of Education and Health with the Telethon Kids Institute. 

The Institute conducted well-being surveys in 79 WA schools. The first cycle of surveys in June/ July 2020 involved 24,003 primary and secondary students, 1,202 school staff and 3,463 parents. A second cycle of surveys was undertaken in October 2020 with 18,008 students, 862 staff and 2291 parents.

At the same time, 40 schools participated in COVID-19 swabbing of asymptomatic staff and students. 13,988 swabs were collected with no positive results.

Just over half of students surveyed reported that COVID-19 had little or no negative impact on their lives while 65% said they felt “confident” about their future.

Of most concern, a wellbeing scale in the study revealed that the rate of emotional distress among secondary school students (38%) has nearly tripled since the last benchmark survey in 2014 (14%). It’s not known how much of this is attributable to COVID-19. The rise aligns with a significant increase in demand on mental health services during that 6-year period and is in keeping with increased rates of emotional distress amongst young people also seen in other states.

Most parents responded that they felt equipped and supported to manage their child’s learning at home, but were short of time. Communication between schools, teachers and parents was rated highly. Despite clear challenges, most staff reported feeling supported professionally and physically safe in the school environment.

45% of school staff felt the pandemic had impacted negatively on their students in June/July of 2020, dropping to 37% by October.

Read the full DETECT report here.

Key findings from the student wellbeing survey are located on page 21 of the report.