Park High students have conducted a questionnaire regarding teachers and students personal views on the recession. The percentage of students that are fully aware of the recession and the impact it is having on society is 97.5% according to the questionnaire. These students found out about the recession since it was officially announced on Wednesday 23^rd January 2009.

 

Many students have formed their own views about the recession. Mostly the students of Park High School said, “That more money is being lost!”; “All of my favourite shops have closed down and have been affected like Woolworths, House of Fraser, MFI, DFS, Zavvi, Shoe Zone and Adams and Thomas Cook.” An older student exclaimed, “I understand the causes and the effects of the recession on the economy. I am also aware of what could have prevented it and the future outcomes of our economy because of it.” Teachers have explained that “unemployment increases as business can’t survive” and that the economic downturn has led to less manufacturing. The decline of economic activity over a period of time has made it “hard to save money” and to buy property. The recession is clearly having a negative impact on the students’ and staff’s personal lives.

 

 

Students and staff have given their own ideas about how the government should tackle the recession. One teacher commented, “A huge amount of money needs to be put into the economy, more jobs need to be produced fast and reliable banks need to be saved. They need to have a structured rule on loans and banking.” A student has said, “They should give priority to British people in terms of employment and investment bankers should be given less bonuses.” Some of the teacher’s advice to the government is as follows, “Provide debt relief and support for those out of work” and “nationalise many companies and banks. Another member of staff suggested that they must first stop lending our tax money to banks, so that their employees can receive bonuses while other ordinary people are loosing their jobs.”

 

 

The effects on students pocket money has also been analysed using the questionnaire. The percentage of students who have had their pocket money reduced is 7%. The remainder of students have not yet noticed a change in their pocket money.

 

 

Analysing the views of students and teachers at Park High School, the question ‘Has the recession hit their school?’ has been answered. The recession has hit the school, although the ‘school’ itself hasn’t been affected - some of the people in it have!

 

By Katherine and Disheta