Exercise together with the class and talk about feelings and problems. At the Tabor College D’Ampte in Hoorn, students receive special lessons to improve group dynamics and increase the well-being of students. They notice that students have more individual problems, which are reflected in problems in the group.
Many students suffer from mental problems and delays at school, thanks to the corona crisis. This is evident from a progress report that the cabinet sent to the House of Representatives last week.
“There are more individual problems, which then manifest themselves in problems in the group”
Kim Schouten-Entius, founded KIC (Kracht In Controle) at the Tabor College d’Ampte in Hoorn. KIC is a teaching program that focuses on social well-being within a school. According to Kim, students were already facing problems before corona, but this has worsened and become more visible during the pandemic. “There are more individual problems, which then manifest themselves in problems in the group. Students find it difficult to talk to each other about problems or conflicts, they prefer to do this online.”
During the KIC training, children discuss certain topics and problems with each other. “Instead of me or other KIC supervisors teaching them a lesson, they give each other advice and help. They are more likely to accept things from their peers and thus learn how to respond to each other.”
“I think the lesson is nice for children who are bullied or who are not feeling well”
Twelve-year-old Ali thinks it is good that KIC lessons are given at his school. “We play games together and talk about how we feel. I don’t have any problems or am not bullied myself, but I think the lesson is nice for children who are bullied or who are not feeling well.”
Effect of telephone use
What Kim is perhaps even more concerned about are the telephones, which have become an indispensable part of everyday life. “I think this puts enormous pressure on students. They can’t put the phone aside for a moment, because if they don’t respond quickly enough, they get messages like: ‘What is this, you don’t want to be my girlfriend anymore, because you not responding?’ I think this puts a lot of stress on young people.”
At Tabor College d’Ampte, students are not allowed to take their phones into the classroom, they must remain in the lockers. The mobile phone still has a lot of influence within the school and in lessons. “Problems arise online, outside of class, that have to be solved here in class. Sometimes I put people together in a group and then things take a very strange turn among themselves. Then you ask about this and discussions arise about annoying conversations that took place online.”
“What can you and cannot do? How do you interact with each other? Many children have lost these basic rules during the pandemic”
Director of the Tabor College d’Ampte in Hoorn, Stef Macke, notices that many students have to relearn how to interact with each other. “What can you do or not do? How do you interact with each other? Many children have lost these kinds of basic rules during the pandemic and they almost have to learn them again.”
According to the director, the KIC program helps enormously with this. “If something is going on in a group, we can immediately pay attention to it through KIC. This way, children who suffer from the consequences of the corona period receive the attention they need.”
Worried about the future
Kim is very concerned about the future of high school students. “Something needs to change in the way education is provided. We are dealing with a staff shortage and the problems among students are increasing. You need time and attention to solve students’ problems.”
Schools are currently receiving money from the government to deal with the consequences of the corona crisis for students. This scheme will expire in 2024. “This needs to be thought about at a higher level because if we continue like this it will become very complicated for schools.”