Without practical classes, it is impossible to complete studies at universities
As Radio Prague notes, without this they often cannot complete their studies in a number of subjects or write their theses. Therefore, in the current conditions, many have to extend their studies.
"Now we are entering the recently reconstructed organic chemistry laboratories of the Faculty of Chemistry of the Technical University. Currently, the laboratories are empty," says organic chemistry teacher Josef Krajčovič. He meets with his students exclusively via computer screen.
Instead of joint classes, he records videos of experiments or conducts live broadcasts. But even the most advanced technologies, in his words, cannot fully replace working directly in the laboratory. "Chemistry must also be perceived with the senses. And now students cannot access all sensory sensations – smell, recognition of crystals. They also cannot use the various equipment we have here," continues Josef Krajčovič.
Due to closed laboratories, the winter semester has not yet been completed at the Faculty of Chemistry. The start of the summer semester has been postponed, and they are now waiting to see what happens next. According to Dean Martin Vejter, at least final-year students need to return to the institute.
"All our qualification works are practical in nature, and students cannot complete the practical part except in laboratories. Therefore, without our permission or the government's permission for future graduates to attend the university, our students will not be able to finish their diploma and bachelor's theses on time," concludes Vejter.
Jan Lička is one of the students waiting for permission to complete their thesis in the laboratory. "Things are bad with discipline because we don't know the real date when we will be allowed into the laboratories and can successfully continue our work. I fear that I won't be able to prepare for the final exams in time, which are already in May. I'll try to do it in September, but there is a chance that it won't work out even then."
Besides chemists, future food producers and farmers from Mendel University in Brno are also having problems due to distance learning. According to Daniel Falta, vice-dean of the Faculty of Agronomy, in addition to laboratories, students mainly lack practical training on livestock farms or in the fields.
"We are unable to replace practical classes within the normal educational process. We also have teachers who teach with a front-facing camera to make the classes as realistic as possible, but all practical actions are performed by the teacher's hands. The student cannot physically touch this, and in fact, the current situation cannot be maintained in the long term."
In the current situation, only medical students can continue their practice. They not only received permission from the government for this, but many of them were also required to help in medical facilities. However, the pitfall here is that due to the enormous workload in hospitals, students lack the time and energy for studying and preparing for exams.