Upon the request of the CSV, the Education Commission discussed a Unicef study titled ‘Covid Kids', which was developed in cooperation with the University of Luxembourg.
The report shows that the well-being of children aged 6-16 dropped slightly during the first Corona wave in March 2020. What is the response to this?
The pandemic did not have too much of an impact on the well-being of the children, according to the deputies. The study had found resilience in them. But it is only since the pandemic that policy-makers have been concerned with the issue of well-being among children and young people. This could have helped to implement measures to improve well-being more quickly.
LSAP deputy Francine Closener lists a few of these: for example, to increase the confidence of youth in various services where they can get help. Teachers should also be strengthened in mental health first aid. She also thinks that politicians should finally take the issue of mental health seriously.
ADR deputy Fred Keup believes that schools responded well during the pandemic, especially because they tried to hold them off as long as possible. However, he hopes that various measures will be deepened. For example, he regrets the prevalent difficulty to reach some parents, especially those whose children have problems.
CSV deputy Max Hengel emphasises that the evolution of these new measures should be kept in mind, especially because the world remains complex with various crises.
Now we have to see if the well-being of children and young people improves. Not only the pandemic has put a great strain on children and parents, but now also the war in Ukraine. That also has an enormous effect on mental health.
Forums for parents are to be organised soon, where they will receive advice on how to better support their children. Max Hengel also emphasises that the pedagogical tips are to be further strengthened.
