Credit: Piqsels

Nearly a third of UK parents are worried that their children will fall behind in certain subjects as no one in their household is confident enough to teach them during the pandemic, according to a new study by BT.

The report, based on a survey of 2,006 UK parents of children aged 5-11 years-old, found that although 66% of parents said their children’s education takes priority over their job, they could only dedicate around three hours a day to home schooling.

Computer sciences, alongside areas such as coding, were the most likely to be dropped, with parents worried they do not understand them or were not taught them.

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The survey found just 24% feel comfortable teaching IT and computer science, while just 8% felt comfortable with coding. 

In comparison, 62% of parents are comfortable teaching maths to 5-11 year-olds, while 58% were confident in English and 43% in PE. 

BT released the survey with its new Code a Cake initiative, providing additional online resources to introduce children aged 6-11 to coding.

Kerensa Jennings, digital impact Director, BT, said: “With the UK facing such extraordinary hardship, BT wants Code a Cake to play a small, yet important role in inspiring and supporting parents and children at this challenging time. Families need more help than ever as they try to keep their kids educated and entertained at home.”