While the number of people infected with the new corona is declining, more than 80% of universities nationwide answered that they would hold more than 70% of their classes face-to-face in the second half of the year, according to a national survey.
On the other hand, the number of students who dropped out or took a leave of absence due to the prolonged corona sickness is increasing, and support efforts are being promoted at each university.
In early October, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology asked universities and junior colleges nationwide about the implementation policy of the second semester, and 1158 schools responded.
Looking at the percentage of face-to-face lessons,
▽ "full-scale" was 36%,
▽ "almost face-to-face" was 29%,
▽ "about 70%" was 18%, and
▽ "about half" was 14%.
Eighty-three percent of universities answered that they would hold more than 70% of their classes face-to-face.
Compared to 45% in the second half class survey last year, it has increased by nearly 40 points, and the country is seeing a growing movement to resume face-to-face classes due to the fact that the infection situation has settled down.
On the other hand, the number of students who dropped out or took a leave of absence from April to August due to the influence of the new corona reached 5,119, more than 1.6 times that of the same period of the previous year.
In each university, assistance in economic and mental also have been promoted, in addition you have to take measures to grace the payment of late fees at 97% of the university,
or to place a support member to support the ▽ scholastic motivation ,
▽ There is also a movement to open a consultation desk for SNS.
According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, "60% of the universities that continue to use online classes have different proportions of face-to-face classes depending on the faculty and grade, so that the chances of attending campus will not be extremely reduced. I want you to respond politely from the standpoint of people. "
Increased number of counselors and resumed club activities and club activities Support with 100 yen lunch box
The university is working on support, saying that the prolonged corona sickness still casts a shadow on the mental and financial aspects of students.
At Tokyo Foreign Language University in Fuchu City, Tokyo, 65% of classes have been returned to face-to-face format since this spring, but as the number of students visiting the on-campus consultation desk increased and the situation of waiting for reservations continued, the two students We have set a day to increase the number of counselors to three.
In the consultation, in addition to the contents such as "I am in need of life due to the corona disaster" and "I feel uneasy about the future because I can not do activities such as studying abroad", "I have less opportunities to interact with people and I feel more isolated". There are many voices saying that.
In the university response to this situation, and trying to get to strengthen the ties among students, and is promoting the resumption of extracurricular activities and club activities after having taken the infection control,
addition to expanding its activities space so as not to close ▽,
▽ Groups are obliged to measure temperature, disinfect, thoroughly ventilate, and avoid eating.
Currently, 67% of the groups are resuming face-to-face activities, and of these, the competitive dance club, to which 28 students belong, enjoys activities after taking measures such as checking body temperature and ventilating by opening windows. bottom.
A male student in the second grade said, "In our grade, there are many online classes and it was difficult to make friends, so it is very big to be able to do club activities face-to-face. I feel it. "
A male student in the third grade who is the captain said, "Club activities are fun, but there is a risk of infection and if even one infected person appears, it will affect the tournament, so I am careful throughout the club."
In addition, according to a questionnaire conducted by the university, 54% of the students answered that they "feel financially uneasy", and the university has been selling bento boxes made in the cafeteria for 100 yen since October.
With the donation of the alumni association, 80 meals of breakfast and 120 meals of dinner are provided 4 days a week, and when it is time for dinner, many students line up to buy before the sale, and while having a "silent meal" at the cafeteria, with friends. Some people enjoyed their time.
A third-year male student said, "I'm grateful that the restaurant where I was working part-time was shortened and customers stopped coming, and my income decreased." In addition, a third-year male student who was eating lunch with a friend. "I'm grateful to be able to eat with someone even if I can't talk. The time to share in the same place is different from online screens."
Chika Takeda, Vice President of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, said, "I have the impression that the university is surrounded by vague anxieties because the student life plan is out of order, such as being unable to study abroad, and I have not been able to have a long relationship with people. Although it is a place, learning and growth through connections and experiences with people is also great. The influence that I could not do for a year and a half still remains, so I will create a place where I can recover my relationship and stay close to the students who have troubles. I would like to find a solution together. "
Movement to connect students
There are movements at universities around the world to prevent isolation by connecting students.
Yamanashi Prefectural University, which has increased face-to-face lessons from this fall, is providing a place for students to interact with each other across grades and faculties through events such as games.
In the circle, there is also a movement to join the experience club at this time for the second year students who mainly have online lessons for one and a half years after enrollment.
In addition, Meiji University is working to subsidize part of the activity costs when the impact of the new corona occurs, such as when the facilities on campus cannot be used during club activities or when a large space is rented to avoid crowding. I'm going to start.