The pandemic has left its mark on all age groups. Even though most children do not have to fear the disease itself, they are suffering from the restrictions needed to protect healthcare systems. Home schooling and the lack of social contacts and extra-curricular activities are taking a heavy psychological toll on children, says Claude Steinmetz.
After the second lockdown, the RTL reporter set out to ask schoolchildren and student representatives what they think.
Most children are happy to be able to return to school, instead of sitting at home like they did at the end of the last school year, says Kimon Leners, the president of the national conference for school children. Most pupils got used to home schooling, but remote teaching still has many flaws.
Most university students still need to rely on their laptops for their studies. Yet, most would much rather return to lecture theatres, according to Estelle Née, the new spokesperson for the student union UNEL.
She says that there is understandably a general lack of motivation when one has to sit in front of a screen for a prolonged period of time. She also points out the lack of social contacts. Most students are longing to go back to university to be able to see and talk to fellow students or just to meet up for a drink.
Née also points out that many students are fearing the impact of coronavirus on their immediate future, be it further studies or job prospects.
Kimon Leners echoes this feeling and says that a lot of pupils are heavily impacted by the psychological ramifications of the pandemic. Some have expressed a general lack of motivation but Leners warns that this could very quickly develop into mental health issues like depression. At the same time, psychological support at schools is in short supply, according to Leners.
In recent times the finger was repeatedly pointed at youngsters, as they were identified as a group that regularly breaks Covid rules. Leners and Née are asking the wider public to show some sympathy. Many children and students have had a tough year and felt that a year of their youth has been stolen. Even though the virus may not impact them as much as other groups, the psychological impact of Covid lockdowns has been immense.
Both Lenert and Née are criticising the government for not taking mental health issues seriously enough.
