WELL-BEING, OPTIMISM AND APPREHENSIONS OF SCHOOL STUDENTS DURING COVID-19

Abstract

Situational changes and physical limitations were observed during lockdowns posed due to COVID-19 which affected everyone in different ways. COVID-19 pandemic led to closure of schools throughout the world 
including India, widespread sickness and increased cases of misfortune were deemed factors to have direct or indirect effect on the school students.  The focus of this paper was to study the well-being, optimism and apprehensions during COVID-19 pandemic outbreak among school going students. The focus of this study was to know the status of knowledge among school students related to COVID-19; their physical, mental or emotional well-being; the level of optimistic feelings and their apprehensions during outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic on a 3-point self-structured Likert scale developed keeping in view the influence of their educational domain. The sample for the present study was school students studying in sixth to eighth standard in the age group 11 to 14 years, and, from ninth to twelfth standard who come under the age group 15 to 18 years, studying in Uttar Pradesh, India through purposive sampling technique. 115 school students were assessed through telephonic conversations. This study provides some insights about perceived well-being, optimism and apprehensions of school students. The paper concludes with suggestions to strengthen the online and blended pedagogy while inculcating the digital skills in them and keeping the well-being of the school students a priority.