– The pandemic and social isolation are an especially difficult time for primary and secondary school students. Therefore, we make an urgent appeal to headteachers and teachers: let us give young people a week without tests and homework. The aim is to reduce the stress children experience every day and care for the mental well-being of students and teachers – explains Prof. Aleksandra Gruszka-Gosiewska, deputy director of the Institute of Psychology of UJ.
Szkoła Podstawowa nr 5 in Bolesławiec has joined the program, but before children return to schools for in-person learning, all schools in the city could join the program.
Schools can register their participation in the campaign on the website of Uniwersytet Jagielloński.
The situation is very bad
Due to the pandemic, the situation of school-age children and young people is terrible. Children and young people are in crisis, their mental state is terrible, and the number of cases of depression, breakdowns and self-harm is alarming. Prof. Magdalena Śmieja cites, among other things, a report prepared by a team from PAN and lists the reasons children suffer, including
- destabilization of family life
- lack of contact with peers
- increased stress
- lack of support from those closest to them
Relief needed immediately
That is why the Institute of Psychology of UJ has launched the Week of Relief campaign.
– Immediate, tangible relief is needed. A week may seem like a short period, but it is measurable. That is why we are proposing participation in the Week of Relief initiative. We strongly encourage schools throughout Poland to take part – urges Prof. Aleksandra Gruszka-Gosiewska.