The limits of learning – kids in crisis | DW Documentary

Surveys show that the majority of German students feel hopeless, listless and even depressed as a result of the long lockdown. Homeschooling is overwhelming for many of them, and some families are struggling to cope. We visited students at home.

Every morning, 14-year-old Catharina sits down at the dining table and tries to study Latin, Math, or English. Her 10-year-old brother, Philipp, sits next to her. He also has to study — and likes using Catharina as a teaching assistant. How are either one supposed to concentrate? Their single mother can’t help, because she is a doctor and has to go to work. Anna has it a little bit easier. She is 16 years old and considers the time she has spent in lockdown to be the most productive of her life so far. She can finally concentrate, and work in peace. Leandro is 14 and can't understand this. He feels completely overwhelmed by the massive heap of tasks. What should he tackle first and how should he do it? He can't provide the structure and guidance he used to get every day in the classroom for himself, and often has trouble getting out of bed in the morning —an indication of early-onset depression. Axel Rowohlt visited Catharina, Philipp, Anna and Leandro, and also spoke to Felix, their student representative. He conducted a survey among students in Berlin — with alarming results.

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[celloendpinfem]

"I question my existence' coming from a mouth of a child - heartbreaking.

[_samaa]

As a student, I felt constantly ignored and almost everyone invalidated my suffering. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS.

[rabbitsforyang]

Modern education needs to be reimagined for a future that is innovation and team focused. Rote memorization is pointless, remote learning just strips away the social layer that made it bearable before

[loro.h]

Leandro seems to be a very empathic and intelligent boy. Keep it up man!

[chillwavegeneral]

Dear DW, I must confess - personally for me, your documentaries is truly more fascinating then HBO serials or blockbusters. Because you are choose highly essential and interesting topics an showing them us professionally clear and objectively. Thank your for your work!

[vvolfbelorven]

Saw this in German first. It really is unfair that kids are getting just the work for school without any of the upside: laughing with friends, small talk on the hallways, seeing a different environment... I hope we get them back in the classroom as soon as possible since that’s part of their (our) development.

[FA-ktis]

I have 2 kids (11 and 7). For parents: try to spend a time together with kids as much as you can. Have a conversation about ordinary things around house or routine. Have a plant pot or garden so they can connect to something else. Read together. Watch tv together. Kids need communication! If they can't get it at school, try to give some of your time. I know that it's hard to do, especially when you work. But we have to go through this anyway...

[sularm]

I definitely find it’s harder to care about school, I lack motivation to do anything. To all students such as myself, don’t give up...From Canada 🇨🇦

[annie]

I’ve been a straight A student for a long time. I even managed to do it for two semesters of online learning while doing remote work study. However, this will not be the case this semester. I’ve been struggling a lot because of burnout. I feel like I’m not myself. I was so used to always having things together and keeping a routine but I’m just exhausted now. Thankfully, I will be graduating in a few days 😭 I look forward to getting a break.

[elektromeha]

Boy is asking very good questions that need to be answered.

[jehezkeltisbleapokalypsis]

Wake up in the morning, and think about existence as 14. 😔

[domgluhwein]

My heart goes to Leandro and to the child his mother told in the story; not everyone can handle this situation the same way, no matter if they have all the resources to do it or nothing at all. This truly breaks my heart. Also, I wonder what would be the outcome for this generation: would they be more self-sufficient, and resolve problems easier due to be forced to learn by themselves at such young age? Will they be more cooperative or isolated when they grow up? What kind of jobs will they choose, the ones with a screen 24/7 or something more analog? Let's see what the future holds, but let's be ready to be there for them because most of us adults didn't had to do this at that age.

[bonitabonita]

Now imagine kids who have no
Proper access to the internet 😟 this is happening in Germany and I can’t even imagine what’s going on in developing countries 😓

[mayormc]

Hopeless, listless and depressed is exactly how I felt over 40 years ago in the pre digital USA. I questioned the pointlessness of existence constantly and was told I was an ungrateful complainer. This reminds me of those times when everything was supposed to be great....but wasn't. I suppose everyone has their own psychic hurdles to overcome.

[avinashraj]

The kid was more cool and fearless than others!!!!

[amandamccallum]

Definitely need more on this topic. My son has learning disabilities and online learning is pure hell for him.

[LedermannYT]

Wow, can't believe a student at that age has that insightful thoughts.

[catarinaventura]

This is very good and spot on. The boy, 14 years old is amazing and very intelligent.

[a-aron]

That male kid with the dark hair, sounds an awful like me before I got my adhd diagnosis.
He's clearly smart and sounds like he's trying more than the rest of them he mentioned 9hours work, it's exhausting work trying to concentrate(if you don't have adhd you just can't understand truly what's it's like), Especially if there's a disconnect. He's doing Extremely well.

[masahirosonobe]

I wanna thank DW for showing this documentary because we students are struggling in this pandemic. In the Philippines, all of us students have to do home schooling or online schooling bcz our government doesnt allow us to go out or we only have to go out only for essential purposes. It's kinda depressing we cannot see our friends in person or our teachers stuffing us lots of assigments and staring at a computer, phone, or tablet for so long. If u r depressed, u r not alone bcz we are all depressed in this pandemic and that includes me. This pandemic makes us all depressed, anxious, angry etc etc etc. Hopefully this pandemic will end and we can all go back to our normal lives like in 2019 or early 2020. A message from a student in the Philippines. STAY STRONG EVERYONE 👊.