Many children in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, are experiencing severe physical and mental distress because of COVID-19 restrictions that keep them at home for long periods and prevent them from socializing with other children. Though the government has made online teaching methods available to students since the closure of educational institutions in March of last year, parents and experts prefer in-person teaching because virtual classes have been causing physical and physiological stress on children for nearly a year.
"Feeling isolated can lead to poor sleep, poor cardiovascular
health, lower immunity, depressive symptoms, and impaired executive function,”
the American Psychological Association said in a recent study on the mental
health of children, in a post-Covid world.
According to the latest National Adolescent Health and Wellbeing
Survey, more than 90% of adolescents use mobile phones in Bangladesh. According
to Dr SM Aman of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK,
research suggests that prolonged cell phone exposure could affect children's
behavior.
"The children in the study who were hyperactive or had
emotional or behavioral problems, including trouble getting along with other
kids, were much more likely to have mothers who used cell phones during
pregnancy," he said.
A field-based study
conducted by 15 international and local organizations, has shown that children
are facing mental and psychological discomfort as their normal childhood is
missing during the current pandemic. The study unveiled that 55% of children
shared their frustration with the state of staying at home, while another study
said 42% of students’ lives have become troublesome due to the pandemic’s
long-term closure of schools. And, 52% were concerned about the effects of the
pandemic.
According to UNESCO, 1.2
billion students worldwide have been affected by the closure of educational
institutions in 144 countries. Whereas in Bangladesh, about 37 million
students, including 17 million in primary education, are out of in-person
education and discontinuation of academic activities.
Title: Closure of schools and Children’s mental health
Contributor: Khelna Bank
Email: khelnabank@gmail.com
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