Maria Julieta Gomes da Costa e Andrade
When an academic year comes to an end, it is important to analyze an unsatisfactory marksheet. This often casts its shadow on the following academic year. June heralds the new academic year in most schools. But a little before school commences, several parents seek advice about their children’s school fears. I choose to refer this as ‘School Phobia’. It is important to distinguish children that are truant, from those that are school phobic. School Phobia, is the total or partial incapacity to attend to school. It is an anxiety disorder, and children who have irrational, persistent fear of going to school.
A school phobic child, tends to miss school for several days and for vague reasons. The child suffers anxiety and physical symptoms when they go to school. They may have temper tantrums over going to school or become depressed. The child often appears anxious, emotionally stressed and may become physically ill, at the thought of attending school. It is very important to identify and tackle the underlying reason based on which the phobia originates.
Home and school issues, need to be considered when searching for solutions to school phobia. Among the home issues are: a) A child may fear to leave the four walls of the home, (b) the fear that he or she may be forgotten in school by their parents, (c) the fear either parents may be at a risk or danger while they are at school.
On the other hand, the phobia could have its origin in the school itself, some of the contributing reasons maybe; (a) an imaginary (exaggerated) authority of the teacher, (b) mocking and taunting by peers, (c) fear of not making perfect grades in sports and academics.
School phobia, is not a trivial problem. Parents and teachers should work together to identify and resolve the issues a child faces. Changing schools or teachers is not a solution. The goal should be to help the child to return to school, and attend classes daily. And the child’s self-confidence should be boosted in the course or plan.
However, if the school phobia is extreme, a therapist or psychiatrist’s assistance may become necessary
