Effect Of Covid-19 On Stress And Academic Achievement Of Secondary School Students In District Poonch

COVID-19 has affected almost every sector of the present world including secondary education, especially in AJK. For this purpose, the researchers aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on stress and academic achievement of secondary level students in District Poonch AJK. Descriptive survey was conducted using cluster sampling technique. A total of 320 respondents were contacted and data gathered through pre tested questionnaire. Among these respondents 155 were boys while 165 were girls students of class 9th & 10th. The research instrument was prepared after extensive research, proofreading, and pilot testing and data was collected by visiting schools of District Poonch. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Frequency tables for every question were made and the percentage and regression was calculated. Statistical techniques were used keeping in view the types of questions. The findings of the study revealed that majority of students were worried about academic activities, remained upset helpless, nervous and having problems in concentrating, paying attention, or remembering things during COVID-19. The main findings of the study unfolded that COVID-19 caused severe stress and anxiety in students and their academic achievement was also lowered. It is recommended that the education department should take the necessary steps to provide facilities to students to cope with the challenge posed by this deadly pandemic in education sector. Key words: COVID-19, stress. Academic Achievement