Coronavirus: class disruptions take a toll on Hong Kong students’ academic performance, mental and physical well-being
- Pupils lament lack of scope to interact with teachers, while prolonged screen exposure and absence of regular daily schedule are affecting their health
- Tin Fong-chak, vice-president of Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, says students have fared worse amid the pandemic than in previous years
The 17-year-old Form Six student at an international school says classes have been disrupted three times since the outbreak began in January last year, and he has spent most of the past year at home, studying online from 8.30am to 4.30pm every day.
The long-time exposure to screens makes his eyes tired, while a lack of interaction with teachers and classmates makes studying less efficient. To keep up, He, a top student in his class, has to spend more time figuring out the lessons after his virtual classes, including flooding his teachers’ emails with questions.
He says the pandemic has delayed his learning progress and students are overwhelmed by the heavy workload and preparations for graduation exams. Many of his classmates have asked for an extension of various deadlines.
What has added to his stress is that universities have raised their requirements for admission, he says. He has so far received five conditional offers from universities in Hong Kong and Britain, with some requiring a higher exam score than those in previous years. He suspects it is because universities are doubtful of the estimated grades given to students by teachers amid cancellation of many exams during the pandemic.
The pandemic has disrupted my plans. I feel directionless and uncertain about the future
He is also monitoring the pandemic situation overseas before making his decision on where to pursue a university major in physics.
