Srinagar, Aug 08 (KNO): In Jammu and Kashmir, a segment of students are pessimistic about their ability to achieve their future goal while a huge number of students in schools are reeling under stress, anxiety, isolation or loneliness.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Ministry of Education (MoE) in a report said, “A segment of students reported feeling stressed, unhappy, or isolated, and some also expressed reluctance to attend school.”
“Some students mentioned difficulty in talking to someone when feeling upset, while a few shared concerns about the pressure of excessive activities,” it reads.
The report further said that “Some students reported not feeling safe or optimistic about their future.”
“On the teachers' side, a group believed that social-emotional learning was beyond their role, and a small number reported difficulty in understanding student emotions,” reads the report.
MoE in the report said that these findings highlight the need to build a more responsive and emotionally supportive environment in schools. “Several areas related to social-emotional learning need attention.”
According to the report 16 percent of students in Jammu and Kashmir are feeling sad or unhappy while 18 percent of students were feeling stressed or worried about their school work.
“25 percent of students did not find it easy or comfortable to talk to someone when they feel stressed or upset and 20 Students feel like they have to do too much work or activity beyond the classroom,” the report reads.
It also said that 17 percent of students feel like not going to school and 18 percent teachers not being able to resolve any conflict amongst students in the class.
“33 percent teachers agree that social-emotional learning of students are not in the hands of a teacher and three percent of teachers not being able to gauge what each student feels in the classroom,” it reads.
The report further states that at least 15 percent students are feeling anxious or worried and 17 percent students are feeling isolated or lonely.
“13 percent of students are not feeling optimistic about their ability to achieve their future goals and 13 percent of students are not feeling safe in their current environment,” reads the report.
MoE said that Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) plays a crucial role in students' well- being and academic success. “The survey responses highlight areas where greater attention is needed to support students' emotional health and equip teachers with strategies to foster a positive learning environment.”
“Schools where more than 50 percent of students and teachers report positive SEL experiences should focus on strengthening mental health support, conflict resolution training, and emotional awareness initiatives,” MoE said—(KNO)