University drop-outs fuelled by pandemic
STUDENTS fed up with university life in lockdown could cause a spike in drop-outs, a report has warned.
Hundreds of thousands of young people forced to learn online are suffering “Zoom fatigue” and a lack of social interaction, the Sutton Trust social mobility charity claims.
Experts fear this may prompt many to quit their courses this year.
The Daily Express has launched a Fair Deal For Students campaign, calling for rent rebates, hardship funds and better mental health support.
But undergraduates may still be left with wellbeing issues and fewer non-academic life skills after Covid-19 “decimated” the wider learning experience.
Concern
More than 850 students were quizzed by YouthSight. One in 10 from low-income backgrounds said they were unlikely to complete the year, compared with six per cent of middle-class undergraduates.
Nearly one in four (24 per cent) cited “Zoom-fatigue” as a barrier as they said they did not want to spend more time online after completing lectures and course content virtually.
Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust, said: “It’s of real concern that lowincome students are more likely to miss out on these formative experiences.”
Some in-person teaching is set to restart in a few weeks.
A Universities UK spokeswoman said: “All universities are developing plans to support students, ensuring there are opportunities to develop outside of their core learning.”