We are all aware of the current situation, no one needs reminding of that. The pandemic at hand has undoubtedly affected all aspects of life, closing beloved shops, companies and some losing jobs, being left in unimaginable circumstances. However, one aspect of society that has gone under major reconstruction is the education system. Schools, further education colleges and universities have been hit hard by the pandemic, ultimately changing the traditional and convenient ways of school life.
Schools have undergone significant change, altering the everyday school environment for ordinary students. Things that were once seen as ‘normal’ are now inconvenient to the wider population. Simple things such as bus times have been altered to cater school children going to and from school. However, how effective is this really? Public transport does not always abide to the rules of limited passengers during the busy school rush resulting in a mix of year groups. Now, if schools have arranged so that year groups are ultimately a bubble, avoiding contact with other years, how does the public transport situation put any of the changes to good, effective use? Other changes that have been made in some schools involve wearing a mask whilst moving about the school, broken starting times and keeping windows open in every class. However, how long can these changes remain before students want the old ways back? Keeping windows open, for example, cannot be practical deep into winter, which is soon arriving.
A survey was taken from a group of students in southwest London, questioning how they felt about their future in education. All students in the sample said that they are ‘worried’ about their future in these current circumstances. Most were concerned that they would be at a disadvantage later in life when applying for further education or jobs because Covid-19 has such an impact on the way their education is handled. Half said they belied that the way things are handled in school and the various changes made to their learning (for example, moving online), will have an affect on their grades in the long-term. All were worried about tougher restrictions being imposed, leading to working from home, saying they would feel lonely being away from the class environment which acts considerably as part of their learning. For some practical subjects such as Physical Education, Art, Drama, Music, Food Tech and a range of others, working from home makes it extremely hard to learn and practice the concept. If schools do go into lockdown, even for a short period of time, how will those who cannot afford the expensive paints and cooking utensils work from home? It is at times like these where coursework and practical work needs to be reconsidered. What way can these issues be delt with so that students still have full potential to achieve in them? Sixth Form student, Emilija Kostiukevic, said in the survey, ‘I’m most worried that life won’t go back to what it was like before the coronavirus.’ Perhaps the world students once knew, is truly gone forever.
Students are adapting to the ‘new normal’ the best way possible, just like everyone else. However, changes that are being made out of their control presently, will inevitably affect the education which this generation’s students will carry throughout their lifetime.
