MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of school closures on children’s health and education in connection with measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic – E-002197/2024

Question for written answer  E-002197/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Anderson (ESN), Marc Jongen (ESN)

Many Member States resorted to closing schools as a way of containing the pandemic. It appears that, in the process, sufficient account was not taken of the impact on children’s mental health and education. Internal Robert Koch Institute files suggest that measures were not always underpinned by sound scientific data.

• 1.How does the Commission support Member States in collecting and analysing scientific data in order to assess the effectiveness of school closures?
• 2.What studies and analyses has the Commission launched or encouraged in order to understand the long-term impact of school closures on children’s mental health and education?
• 3.What action is the Commission planning to take in order to assume political responsibility for wrong decisions and ensure that future decisions on school closures are taken on a balanced and scientifically sound basis so as to minimise adverse impact on children?

Submitted: 21.10.2024