Reduce varsity students' workload to safeguard mental health - groups

 

University administrators have been urged to reduce overall students' workload and prevent burnout by managing the impact of online learning on their mental health.

This followed the reported deaths of two university students last week, while at home and going through online classes as campuses remain shut.

Universiti Malaya Students' Union (UMSU) urged all university administrators to consider several proposals that include a reduced workload and extended deadlines, as well as a free week before the final examinations.

The group also said lecturers should take into consideration views by the majority of students in making decisions on academic matters, particularly for their class assignments.

At the same time, they said, all student representatives from other universities should also speak up on the matter to their respective administrators.

"Online classes held for the past nearly two years have had a worrying impact on the students' mental health.

"The union is of the view that related parties should not silence voices of students who raised this matter," they said.

While acknowledging a university's autonomy in its academic affairs, UMSU urged the Higher Education Ministry to intervene in this issue, as it could impact a student's life.

"To silence this issue would mean lives of students are being ignored," it said.

Separately, the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) and student group Gerakan Mahasiswa Demokratik (GMD) also urged the ministry and university administrators to take steps towards promoting better mental health among students.

Echoing UMSU's proposal on reduced workload and extended deadlines, Muda and GMD proposed a one week break after every four weeks of classes.

"There must be no tests, quizzes or submissions in that week," said the groups in a joint statement by Muda's co-founder Dr Mathen Nair and GMD information chief Affan Nassruddin.

They said all formal online engagements should also be kept during working hours, with consideration given to eliminate less important subjects.

"Taking into account the worsening pandemic, students should not be expected to carry on with their classes as if there was nothing happening around them," they said.

It was reported that a business administration student from a public university had died at Kedah's Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital last Friday afternoon.

The 22-year-old had reportedly complained of severe headache and vomited before passing out at a house shared with a friend.

Separately, another civil engineering diploma student from UiTM Jengka campus had also died at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Terengganu, on Saturday, reportedly due to a burst vessel that led to internal bleeding. - Mkini