Pune: Most children eager to go back to school, say mental health experts

“For the last two years, the complaints from parents have been the same. Either children are not studying or they are using their Internet access for other purposes, which parents do not consider desirable,” said Dr. Bhooshan Shukla, a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

“Most of the children are eager to go back to school. However, it will also depend on your psychological setup over the past two years. This can dictate how children will react to going to school. Right now, it seems like most will happily go back to school and settle into their old routine,” said Dr. Shukla.

According to Dr. Niteen Abhivant, an associate professor of psychiatry at BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, the risk-benefit ratio should be considered. “The school must be reopened. It’s not just about academics, the children’s social development has been greatly affected,” added Dr. Abhivant.

The children would love to go back to school, said Nidhi Gandhi, coordinator of the Connecting Trust (Pune) peer education programme. “In the beginning, the children said that they enjoyed being at home with their families. However, they soon began to miss their friends and physical activity. It has been difficult for them to stay focused during online classes. There is a lack of privacy and the silence required to concentrate on your studies. They don’t feel prepared for their exams because they haven’t understood the theories and concepts and haven’t had a chance to practice things in person,” said Gandhi, whose NGO runs programs in schools to equip children with skills to emotional and mental well-being. “Children were disappointed when schools closed again during the third wave. Compared to last academic year, more children express feelings of loneliness, boredom, isolation and lack of interest in doing something,” said Gandhi.

Clinical psychologist and counselor Rucha Shrikhande said children have been the “biggest hit” in the pandemic. “I receive calls related to interpersonal conflicts in the family and people frustrated with being constantly at home. Children have suffered the most due to the restrictions… School is a form of activity for children and not being able to do it has led to high levels of frustration,” Shrikhande said.

Dr. Shukla, however, did make a note of caution for children who have been bullied at school. “There will be a need to accommodate children who are also struggling to get back to school. For them, school was a horrible experience and it would be a struggle for them to get back into the system,” added Dr. Shukla.