Corona and students

 

 

Effects of Covid Pandemic on the Students

 Covid pandemic has widespread effects on every sphere of life and students are not spared.

 They are affected physically, mentally and emotionally. 

For a long period, they are unable to meet with their mentors and class fellows. They can’t go outside. They can’t meet with their friends and relatives. They are lonely. This is hampering there growth.

 

Why Can’t we open the schools?

Kids are not  Mature enough to follow  covid appropriate behaviour (CAB). 

It is very difficult for them to maintain the social  distancing in the classroom. In a class of 40 to 50 students it is just not possible. 

Kids are not expected to communicate with masks on their faces. 

Moreover a student has low immunity as compared to adults.  

If there is any spread of corona in the schools, it will be very difficult to control. Schools can be hub of Corona. Schools can be main corona spreader if they are opened without preparation.

 

Problems if schools remain closed for long time.

Schools are integral part of a student life. A major part of his day is spent in the school. If schools remain closed for long then it will have very negative effect on the students.

 This will affect not just their studies but also their personalities. Students are facing very difficult time.

 

Limitations of online classes

There are no offline classes as schools and coaching centers are closed. So students are deprived of valuable suggestions and guidance of their teachers. 

Although many schools are providing online classes but they cannot compensate for the offline classes where the student has direct interaction with a teacher. He can put his doubts and ask questions directly.

In online classes there is one more problem which is faced by most of the students in India that is the poor quality of Internet. Many times classes got disconnected and sometimes picture and voice quality is compromising . 

Moreover there is no eye to eye contact between teacher and his students. So teacher is unable to judge if students are getting whatever he is delivering. It is almost impossible to create conducive teaching learning experience in an online class.

 

No examination for one year

In April 2020 first wave of corona pandemic started and in the beginning of 2021 its second wave spread all over the India. Therefore schools and other educational institutions remain closed for more than one year. 

During this time there was no pen paper examination of the students. It is almost impossible for a teacher to find out if a student is understanding everything that is taught in the online classes without examinations. 

Exams are not only the test of understanding of the students but it also provides basis for the remedial classes. A teacher after studying the result of the class decides which topics need to be revised in the class. 

He also comes to know the types of mistakes the students are committing. It gives her an insight about the level of understanding of the syllabus. 

In the absence of any examination the whole learning process is deteriorating. It will be very difficult to fill this gap in the future.

 

In remote and backward areas

In the backward areas of the country where economic status of the people is already low the position of education is even more disadvantageous . 

The students of these areas belong to the poor families and most of them study in the government run schools. It is not possible for them to manage costly smart phones or computers for taking online classes. 

Most of the students do not have good Internet connection . Even in many areas there is irregular supply of electricity. 

In such a scenario it is just not possible to acquire education by online mode. 

For these students this year is almost a zero year. Although most of the state boards and CBSE have promoted the students to the next class but we know it very well that they do not acquire proper knowledge in the previous class . This will definitely affect their study in the next class also.

 

Mental  And emotional stress on the students

During the Corona time many families suffered directly and indirectly. Some families lost their jobs and  there is decline in income of self dependent families. 

In some families members are affected by the Corona . Some of them were hospitalized. There was a scarcity of medicines, oxygen cylinders and even beds in the hospitals. This causes additional tension in the families. Children also face this stress. 

These circumstances leads to an environment where learning activities cannot go on. We cannot expect a student to carry his studies if family is passing through such a challenging time. This creates a great mental and emotional stress on the family members especially the children

Uncertain future

Students who are in the higher most class of their institutions are facing one more problem. After completing the education in their Institute they need to be transferred to the next higher Institute. In this pandemic situation it is very difficult for them to get admission. 

Moreover students who are planning for some professional courses after completing the school are also in dilemma. Their future is very uncertain. There is a great loss of their valuable time. At this time they should focus on the preparation for the competitive examinations but they are fighting with the disease and family problems.

 

3^rd wave of corona

Doctors and other experts are claiming that danger is not over yet. There will be a 3^rd wave of Corona that will affect the children the most.  This is creating a panic among the parents. 

When a hope was in sight that school will open after this short lockdown and decline in Corona cases, at this time this declaration of 3^rd way of Corona is not a good sign. 

We need a widespread preparation to tackle this coming danger. Government should improve facilities in the hospitals and other health care centers. Necessary supplies of medicines and other equipments should be maintained in advance. 

On the other hand people should understand their responsibilities. They should maintain social distancing. One should not stop wearing masks even after vaccination.

 

Ray of hope

Even in this distress one should not lose hope. We should also see the positive side. 

Our country is one of the few nations in the world which has developed vaccine for Corona. Vaccination drive is moving very fast and we should expect that majority of our population will be vaccinated in a few months only. 

There is research going on to develop vaccine for children. I am confident that it will be available very soon. We should observe Corona appropriate behavior until at least 70% of our population including children is vaccinated.

We will definitely win over this deadly virus.