Pupils', parents' and teachers' perceptions on unintended consequences of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria - protocol of an exploratory survey

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, drastic measures were taken worldwide to contain the spread of the virus. These included school closures in many countries for varying lengths of time. Pupils not attending school suddenly turned parents into tutors, disrupted the daily routines of families, and reduced in-person social contacts. As children and adolescents are at a vulnerable age regarding personal development, some studies reported negative consequences including increases in long-term mental health issues. In Austria, surveys were conducted on the perceptions and experiences of pupils, parents and teachers regarding the changed learning modalities due to the COVID-19 pandemic school closures. Local data on perceptions of unintended consequences is still lacking. This exploratory survey aims to investigate the perception of pupils, their parents, and teachers on unintended consequences of COVID-19-related school closures in Austria.