Global school reopening brings academic, financial, and psychological challenges

As the new school year approaches, various regions are facing diverse challenges related to education, finances, and student well-being.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, data from the Republički pedagoški zavod shows that 1,903 students were sent to remedial exams, with mathematics, physics, and Serbian language being the most difficult subjects. Educators note a decline in student engagement and an increasing reliance on artificial intelligence.

Financial pressures on families are a recurring theme. In Serbia, while education is legally free, parents face significant costs for textbooks and supplies, with some estimates suggesting textbook sets can cost up to 20,000 dinars. Conversely, the city of Kragujevac has announced it will provide free textbooks for all first-graders and students in grades two through four to ease this burden.

In the Czech Republic, charity drives like ‘Školákům od srdce’ are organizing to provide school supplies to children in need. Meanwhile, in Prague, the municipal government is distributing 17,000 packages containing stationery and educational gifts to first-graders.

Psychological and logistical concerns are also prominent. Experts highlight the strain the return to school places on children's nervous systems, noting that behavioral issues are often symptoms of sensory overload. In Croatia, parents are advised on budgeting strategies to manage the high costs of clothing and technology.