The main topics of discussion were how the pandemic affected teenagers and schools, but also the teenagers’ well-being in general.
The principal of the Lycée des Arts et Métiers in Luxembourg City, Fabrice Roth, stressed that the use if remote learning in Spring was unusual for everyone. While Rot agreed that the tool had to be adapted and improved, he also pointed out that some subjects were more suited to this style of teaching than others.
In general, Roth believes strongly that students belong in school because the social interaction between teachers and their pupils could simply not be recreated at home. He also raised concerns about social inequality; Some parents are able to stay at home and help their children, while others cannot. This is why, Roth concluded, schools should remain open for as long as possible.
On the aspect of general well-being, Caroline Residori, a youth researcher at the University of Luxembourg, noted that according to a recently conducted survey young people had difficulties naming positive aspects of the crisis.
Residori explained that puberty was probably the time when someone was most dependent on social interaction, which was why teenagers were among those worst affected by the restricted social life caused by the pandemic. However, Residori also pointed out that young people were “doing their best” and stated in the survey that even though they were struggling, they understood that it was for the best and could find at least a few positive aspects.
Among these positive aspects, teenagers notably cited being able to spend more time with their families or doing things that they had previously been unable to do due to a lack of time. However, the survey also suggests that young people are not rating the social support they receive from their families as particularly high.
According to Residori, this could mean that family was maybe not everything for them. She suggested that perhaps young people had a broader understanding of the term “family” which went beyond their parents and siblings, and thus they still felt that something was missing.
Residori also stressed that international studies also showed that young people were becoming increasingly anxious. The survey conducted by the University of Luxembourg involved around 4,000 teenagers.
The report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish):
PDF: Report “How young people in Luxembourg deal with the pandemic”
