Yesterday, the next graduation exam for the 11-year secondary education level was held in our country. According to the State Examination Center, more than 58 thousand students participated in the exam. As every year, the results of the graduation exams are eagerly awaited by students and parents this time as well.
The period during which the exams were held coincides with a backdrop of increasing military-political tension in the world. The events occurring along the US-Iran-Israel axis and the widespread discussion of war-related news have somewhat altered society's information agenda. The question of this situation's impact on students' psychological state, their attitude towards lessons, and their overall motivation for education is also coming to the fore.
Speaking to Modern.az on the topic, education expert Məzahir Məmmədli stated that the tension observed in the region does not pass without affecting the psychological state of students and applicants to a certain extent. According to him, information disseminated a few days ago regarding an attack by Iran on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the fall of an unmanned aerial vehicle near a general education school caused concern in society. News shared on social networks, as well as opinions expressed by some graduating class students, indicate that such incidents can create a certain level of tension, especially among high school students.
The expert noted that the ongoing processes can, in certain cases, also affect the future educational plans of young people:
“It is known that some 11th-grade students prepare for international exams such as SAT, TOEFL, and the Cambridge program to study abroad. However, the political tension observed in the region also increases the likelihood that some young people will hesitate in their decisions.
The experience of previous years shows that some applicants who did not achieve the desired results in block exams preferred to study abroad. At that time, countries such as Turkey, Russia, Georgia, and even Ukraine, despite the war situation, were mostly chosen. The current situation, however, may cause some of those planning in that direction to reconsider their decisions”.
M. Məmmədli also added that, on the other hand, steps are being taken within the country to expand access to higher education:
“This year, a planned increase in student admissions to 75 thousand people and an increase in admission places are envisaged. At the same time, expanding scholarship opportunities for more than half of the students can also create an additional incentive for young people. These factors may lead some applicants to prefer studying at local universities rather than abroad. Interest in studying abroad will decrease”, he noted.
Psychologist Nizami Orucov, meanwhile, clarified the issue of the psychological impact of existing geopolitical tensions on the education of applicants and students. In his opinion, news related to war and danger can create emotional tension, especially for adolescents and young people.
“Continuous exposure to this information through social networks and news feeds can intensify feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and danger in individuals. Young people sometimes perceive these events as a personal threat, which affects their psychological well-being. In such cases, it can be difficult to focus attention on lessons, as the human brain reacts more sensitively to danger signals. Yes, continuously focusing on war news can cause students' and pupils' attention to stray from their lessons. Especially the rapid spread of emotional and sensational news on social media can divert young people's attention from the learning process. At this time, motivation for education may temporarily weaken, and a sense of uncertainty about the future may arise”.
The psychologist also emphasized that, in the long-term perspective, the main role here depends on how information is received and on the psychological resilience of young people:
“If young people receive information in an atmosphere of continuous fear and tension, this can create anxiety about the future and a decrease in motivation. However, at the same time, with the right psychological approach and a healthy information environment, these effects can be minimized. In this regard, the role of parents and teachers is very important. It is crucial to speak openly with young people, explain the real scope of information, and protect them from sensational news. Simultaneously, maintaining young people's daily routines, social activities, and educational focus helps them preserve their psychological balance. The main goal is to create not fear, but a correct understanding of reality and emotional stability in young people”.
