IIT Delhi students want semester to halt and begin from July due to COVID-19 stress: Study

Most students said since they or their family members were suffering from Covid, they were having difficulty attending online classes and doing regular assignments.

As per the survey conducted by the Board of Student Welfare, the majority of IIT Delhi students want that the current semester should be halted for now due to the stress they are going through because of the COVID-19 situation across the country. IIT Delhi students further suggested that the rest of the semester should be conducted in July. 

On April 19, the board had surveyed 450 students. A statement from the board said that of the respondents, around 64% had family members suffering from Covid, and 14 per cent of the students were themselves infected. Out of these, the statement said, 85 per cent were at home and 12 per cent lodged at government facilities.

The survey asked students about their well-being and 34 per cent said they were not good but could cope; 21 per cent said that the recent rimes were very, very harsh; 16 per cent said times were not good and they needed help; 16 per cent said they felt they were doing better than others and only 10% said they had no problems.

Most students said since they or their family members were suffering from Covid, they were having difficulty attending online classes and doing regular assignments.

“The mental peace of the students is degrading, seeing the number of cases and difficulties faced after you test positive (medicines not available, beds not available),” the statement said.

“Some are stressed because they are unable to find jobs or internships which are very important for them at this point… Many underperformed in minors (exams) due to the stressful environment,” it added.

Students also said they felt they are not getting much help as “professors have not been very lenient and have been giving strict deadlines for almost all courses. In scenarios like these, if a student has Covid themselves or someone in their family has it, they miss out on a lot, which ultimately affects their grades significantly,” said the statement.

Among other suggestions was a 7-10 day break immediately to cope with the present situation, anxiety and stress; taking regular feedback from students’ reduction in academic pressure; welfare sessions to mental health and reduction in financial burden.

Read More:

• IIT Delhi Courses & Fees
• IIT Delhi Placements