According to a recent poll conducted by the STEM/MARK agency in the Czech Republic, three out of ten Czech children do not enjoy going to school. The main reasons for this are a lack of enjoyment in learning, as well as the stress of exams, grades, too much homework, bad relationships with classmates, and having to wake up early. The poll surveyed 413 children under 17, and was presented by the head of the Czech branch of UNICEF, Pavla Gomba.

The poll also found that about 70 percent of children like going to school, mainly because of their friends. However, less than half of them enjoy the learning process. Deputy Education Minister Martina Betakova welcomed this statistic, but noted that the number of children who do not like going to school is still significant.

Out of the 30 percent of children who do not enjoy going to school, three fifths of them do not enjoy learning. Additionally, some students reported having bad relationships with their teachers, particularly those attending vocational schools.

The poll also asked children about their perceptions of the future of the country. About a quarter of participants believe that the Czech Republic will become a better place to live, while 16 percent do not think so. Reasons for the negative outlook include a worsening economic situation, government inaction on societal issues, increased criminality, unemployment, and environmental pollution. About one in eight students expressed a desire to move abroad as adults, with the United States, Britain, and France being the most popular destinations.

Overall, 57 percent of the children surveyed claimed to be happy, primarily due to their friends and family. Only about 3 percent of schoolchildren reported never feeling happy.

The poll sheds light on some of the challenges facing the Czech education system and the well-being of its students. The results suggest that while many Czech children enjoy going to school and have a positive outlook on life, a significant number of students do not enjoy learning and face other challenges that impact their school experience. These findings may be useful for policymakers and educators seeking to improve the education system and support the well-being of students in the Czech Republic.

Article by Prague Forum