For students, especially younger ones not always able to engage in online learning, the pods also provide much-needed socialisation and a way to navigate the stress and uncertainty linked to the pandemic. For students, especially younger ones not always able to engage in online learning, the pods also provide much-needed socialisation and a way to navigate the stress and uncertainty linked to the pandemic. "But what we're also seeing is that poor children, middle-class children even, are left to fend for whatever the schools can provide." Experts agree that the pods will help many children experiencing depression, greater anxiety and stress as a result of the pandemic and isolation. "Children whose parents have the means to participate in learning pods will most likely return to school academically ahead, while many low-income children will struggle at home without computers or reliable internet for online learning."

Source: The Star September 04, 2020 01:52 UTC