Nova’s mother Sharmin Akhter said, during the Corona period, electronic device addiction was not allowed in Nova. Even though the classes are physically closed, I have taught myself at home for the final examination of the fifth class. Later in the Short Syllabus examination, he scored more than ninety marks in each subject. Got 94 marks in maths. But after reaching the 6th standard, the situation changed.

He said that after the full syllabus classes started in the 6th grade, the educational institution was closed again due to the shock of Corona . After that, two Eid holidays including Ramadan when classes start. After so many breaks, he could not mentally concentrate on the exam. That’s why he failed in mathematics.

Alif Hossain, a 9th grade student of the same school. This student started living in 7th grade. Then he passed through the assignment and got into the eighth grade. In this class he passed class 9 through annual examination and assignment based assessment on short syllabus. But when classes started in full swing in ninth grade, some changes were seen in him. He started skipping classes on various excuses like headache, leg pain, not ready to study. This student has failed in 5 subjects in the recently held 9th class half-yearly examination.

Alif’s elder sister Nishat Jahan said that due to the closure of the school due to Corona, he had to take online classes in the 7th and 8th classes. This time he was not focused on studying even though he was taking classes online. It was seen that he was doing other things by joining the class. Because of that learning deficit occurs in him. He became addicted to mobile because of online classes. As the school is closed, he gets used to watching TV most of the day.

He said that Alif did not show interest in studies even after the school opened due to the normal situation of Corona. 7th and 8th grade learning deficit, on top of that 9th grade reading more books; He can’t take the pressure. Apart from this, habits during Corona are spending more time watching TV and using mobile phones. Again, pain in the hand today, pain in the neck tomorrow, skips school on various excuses. His mentality has also changed. He now misbehaves when asked to read.

Not only Nova or Alif, but many students in remote areas including the capital Dhaka.

Why are the students doing badly?
Concerned people say that due to the closure of schools for a long time due to Corona and online classes, device addiction has developed among the students. Many students are unable to get out of this addiction. Due to which interest in reading has decreased among them. Many students have cut down on going to school for various reasons. Apart from this, due to repeated shocks of Corona, Eid holidays, students could not concentrate on studying. Many institutes take 100 marks exam before completing the syllabus. Due to these reasons, many students have failed in this year’s half-yearly examination. Students who have passed in all subjects in previous years have also failed in this exam. The biggest problem remains in mathematics. Not only in the capital, but also in rural areas.

Students skipping school due to device addiction
Mobile phones were easily available to students in four-walled rooms due to Corona. Parents are forced to hand over their phones due to online classes. It has the opposite effect. Even after the normalization of the corona situation, mobile addiction is still prevalent among students.Mahmud Ahmed is a 10th class student at Birshrestha Munsi Abdur Rauf Public College in the capital. He had passed in all subjects when he was a seventh standard student before Corona. But he got autopass in eighth grade during Corona. Learning deficits are extreme among them.Due to online classes during Corona, this student also became addicted to digital devices. That’s why he doesn’t get interested in the class like before after the class starts in full swing. The school is just one kilometer away from his house in Azimpur. But still he stays away from going to class due to various excuses. In this year’s half-yearly examination, this student has failed in 8 subjects, including mathematics, not just one or two.

Mahmud’s father Mostak Ahmed said, due to online classes, students had to hand over mobile phones. This is the major reason for the loss of mobile students. During Corona, they spent more time on social media than doing online classes properly. He does not study in the hope of clearing the Autopass or the syllabus. He doesn’t want to go to school, but comes back with various excuses.

He said, my son is a golden ‘A Plus’ student in class V. He had passed in all subjects in 6th and 7th standard. He’s been like this since Autopass in eighth grade.

Due to the
corona virus, the mental condition of the students has changed. During this time most of the students spent their time within four walls. If the school was open, there would be a chat with friends, that was not an opportunity during Corona. There was no work in the house as the school was closed. Nowadays many students are addicted to digital devices. Many go into depression after spending idle time. As a result, their small brains could not take the word of study. Many have lost interest in studies. Exceptions have occurred in many cases. Due to intense stress, many students have taken the path of suicide. Even though the Corona situation is normal, they have stayed away from books due to their habit of not reading. Even after Corona, many students committed suicide by talking about their studies.

On August 11 , a student named Aishi Chandra Bhowmik (16) committed suicide in AGB Colony of Motijheel in the capital because of her parents’ nagging her about her studies. She was an SSC candidate of Siddheshwari Girls High School.

Kaniz Fatema Kashmi, a ninth grade student of Sherpur Government Girls High School, chose to commit suicide on July 5 this year. In the results of the semi-annual examination, he failed in creative examination of Bangladesh and World Identity, Physics and Biology. His mother was angry at such a result and scolded him. Because of this, Kashmi committed suicide.

On November 7 last year, a school student committed suicide due to fear of SSC examination. He is Kazi Moniruzzaman Rupak, a student of Commerce Department of Kamalpur Zahir Uddin High School in Bhairab, Kishoreganj.

Besides, many students committed suicide because they were asked to study even during the Corona period. Many have left home. Many students have attempted suicide.

Students who are upset due to the shock of Corona and holidays
, teachers say that the school was closed for two long years during Corona. After that, the school opened, but the classes were held on a small scale. Corona infection increased again after the start of classes in full swing. Then two Eid holidays including Ramadan. All in all, students are upset due to the impact of Corona and holidays.

They say that the students who have topped two classes are making a mess due to Corona. All students are not equally talented. Many students understand only once, some understand a few times. No one understands even after explaining again and again. That is why they should be gradually brought on the path of education without stressing them.

Bright School and College English department teacher Tapan Kumar Biswas told Dhaka Post, being out of studies for a long time, after the class started in full swing, there was a break again in February. Then two Eid holidays. After Eid-ul-Azha, as per the schedule fixed by the government, the examination of 100 marks started. However, a student of eighth grade could not read books like that after fifth grade because of corona. A huge learning gap remains among them. 100 marks exam has to be taken, due to which the students are affected.

He said, overnight learning will not solve the deficit. If we can keep them away from the devices and gradually move them towards studies, the classes can be continued continuously without any breaks until next December, then this situation can be avoided. Our institution has already taken initiatives to fill the learning gap. If they are not able to finish the study in the scheduled time of the class, I make them study after the vacation, without applying any kind of mental pressure.

The effect of corona on students is clear
. The heads of educational institutions say that corona is the main reason behind the failure of students.

Principal of Bright School and College, Moidur Rahman Gem said, the effect of corona on students is clear. Device addiction is also extreme among them. As a result, their half-yearly exams are bad.

Zahura Begum, principal of Udayan Higher Secondary School in the capital, told Dhaka Post that there is no denying that those who have taken online classes in urban institutions due to Corona have a learning deficit, and students in remote areas also have a learning deficit. Due to deficiency, they do not understand various subjects of mathematics and science. If you go to every institution, you will see that the results of the half-yearly examination are not good. Through this, the amount of their deficiency is understood.

He said, we halved the syllabus with some chapters that have to be learned. In this, many teachers mentioned the lack of learning. That being said, if he passes, he can be pushed forward. But he will fail in full syllabus exam. He will break down mentally. Pulling him off won’t be easy. Despite doing so much, they didn’t do that well. So what is the status of other institutions! There is a gap in education due to covid, we have had a lot of trouble to bring them forward.

School fear has increased due to mental depression
Meanwhile, psychologists and child experts say that due to mental depression, students are not able to focus on studies. School phobia has increased among students. That’s why their exams are getting worse.

Professor Kamal Uddin of Dhaka University’s Department of Psychology told Dhaka Post that the only reason behind students not focusing on studies is Covid-19. They were very depressed due to not going to school for a long time, staying at home continuously, not being in touch with friends. Teachers should be proactive to overcome this situation. Schools should have their own psychologist or someone else for part time or full time counseling of students as well as counseling of teachers. For this reason, it is necessary for the government and school authorities to take initiatives.

Pediatrician Dhaka Children’s Hospital Respiratory Medicine Department Associate Professor Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman Kamrul said, after a long time outside the class, the formal classes suddenly started, followed by the examination, which has caused mental stress on the students. Some students are not able to keep pace with others. It affects their mental health. Due to depression, many people take wrong steps, even take suicidal decisions like suicide.

He said that students used to sleep in the morning during Corona. Now they have to get up early to go to school. A boy or girl studying in class 9 suddenly feels pressured by reading 9-10 books. Reducing device addiction has also become a challenge. After one/two days a week they don’t want to go to school anymore. School phobia is increasing among students. To overcome this condition, students should be gradually directed to class. However, one cannot stress too much about studies.

There was lack of preparation, there was pressure, that’s why
educationist Professor Syed Manjurul Islam, who failed in the exam, said that mental stress is a big reason behind the student’s failure. However, this is not the only reason. Here are three reasons. Firstly, there is an isolation due to covid. School may be a place to learn, but they also had such a pressure to pass exams. Secondly, those who used to study with tutors, did not get that opportunity during covid. That is why they lacked preparation. Thirdly, they did not get enough time to prepare even when they started going to class.

He said, even if the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war on education is not yet felt, if the cost of living increases, many families may not be comfortable, there will be anxiety. It will also touch boys and girls. They will surely do well in the next class if the school is in full swing. Because, students also know the reasons behind their falling behind. It may not be possible to make up 100% of the deficit. But there should be trust in boys and girls. They can do whatever they want. If they are regular in class then this problem should not exist.

Mohammad Mujibur Rahman, Associate Professor of Education and Research Institute of Dhaka University, said, “We want to avoid responsibility not only in education, but in all fields. Whether one admits it or not, there is no doubt that there has been a learning deficit due to Corona. And it has been massive. First of all, it must be accepted.

He said, due to Corona, there is a deficit of one to one and a half years of students. That’s why a class IV student has advanced to class VI with a learning disability. Coming to this class, he is no longer able to keep up. Because, the stairs of class IV and stairs of class 6 will not be equal. A student who cannot add, subtract, multiply, divide, how will he do simple numbers? The same applies to English, Science and other subjects.

Professor Mujibur Rahman said that sufficient research was needed to fill the deficit. It is firstly on a school-by-school basis and secondly nationally. Schools needed to be tasked with identifying their gaps. But someone may have done it on their own initiative, it is not visible. It should have been one day a week or one hour every day in the class, if a calendar was made identifying who has a deficiency in which area, then the old deficiencies could have been filled.

He also said that the circular should be issued from the ministry. But so far nothing visible has been seen in this regard. We have to run both the gap filling and current class readings together. If these things are done, it will be possible to meet the target of our quality education.

Some schools are working to meet the learning deficit, want government initiatives
Meanwhile, some schools have taken initiatives to meet the learning deficit of students. Some institutes are teaching students reading before the class in the gap of the main class. Again, the teachers of some institutions are giving time to the students after the class. But according to them, this is not enough. Government initiatives are also important to meet the learning deficit.

Principal of Bright School and College Moidur Rahman Gem told Dhaka Post, “We are taking extra classes to meet the learning deficit.” However, not by stressing the students. But they also need rest. It would be best if you could advance them with time.

He said, two years have passed between them. They didn’t get time even for half a year. As a result, their foundation has weakened. 4th, 5th class students have to read 6th class books. It is difficult for them. Overcoming the deficit will take time, but it can be done with effort.

Jahura Begum, principal of Udayan Higher Secondary School, said that we are taking extra classes after school holidays to meet the learning deficit. Instead of practical classes, we are doing gap-filling classes for one-two months. However, we are struggling to do this in every class. Still teachers are trying to take classes when they can.

He said, this generation is in a terrible state. We have to have meetings every day on various issues including meeting the learning deficit of the students. The Ministry of Education should come forward to fill the deficit. However, no decision has come from them till now.

According to a report by the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP) with the support of UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF and the World Bank, 3.7 million children’s education in Bangladesh has been disrupted due to school closures due to Corona. This has caused major damage to children’s education and overall well-being, the consequences of which will be felt for decades to come. 

The report ‘Prioritizing education during Covid-19’ presents the latest data on the impact of school closures on children. Data indicate that a third-grade child whose schooling is interrupted for a year during the pandemic may suffer the equivalent of three years of learning loss in the long term if urgent action is not taken.

According to the report, children in low and middle income countries and low socio-economic status are the most affected. Schools were closed for longer on average than in high-income countries, students had little or no access to technology during school closures, and there was little adaptation to the challenges of the crisis. The rise in inequality in education due to the impact of Covid-19 is not just a child rights issue; Different learning levels in the classroom make it more difficult for teachers to help students, especially the most marginalized, overcome learning deficits.

AAJ/AR/SM