Access to and demand for online school education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akabayashi, Hideo; Taguchi, Shimpei; Zvedelikova, Mirka
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational development. Volume 96(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: I24 -- I28 -- J81; Online education -- COVID-19 -- Family background -- Parental work -- Japan; Education -- Periodicals; Education -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Périodiques; Education; Periodicals; 370.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2022.102687
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-0593

Abstract

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in school closures worldwide, including in Japan, where remote education at schools is underdeveloped. Using a unique panel dataset collected in May and December 2020, we examine the determinants of access to online education at and outside schools and parents' preference towards at-school online education. We observe that children from more privileged family backgrounds received more at-school as well as outside-school online education. We also find that household income and parent's educational level are associated with higher demand for at-school online education, while mothers working full-time and fathers in non-regular contracts decreased this demand temporarily. Highlights: We analyzed a panel dataset collected in May and December 2020 in Japan. We examined at-school and outside-school online educational experience. Children with privileged family backgrounds received more online education. Pandemic increased online education use outside school for advantaged children. Parental backgrounds and work styles influence at-school online education demand.