The energy crisis and the Coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed the way schooling operates in UK. A report by BBC, published last month, suggests that home-schooling is on the rise since the pandemic. While other reports suggesting that due to energy crisis, schools might be considering a three day week. The direct brunt of this chaotic transition is faced by school kids.
Trying to bring out a solution, two Class 9 students at Rastrick High School in Brighouse, Caisen Rehman and Zayan Fahad, both aged 13 have come up with a concept of metaverse schooling.
In a project, presented to Yeme Architects, Caisen and Zayan discuss the issues with traditional schooling.
The classroom size, they say is either too cramped up or too big, which as per the teenagers, can create a lot of distraction. Bad behaviour and bullying is another issue the 13-year-old duo point out, its “hard to prevent, (as) teachers (are) not always around”, they observe in their presentation. Another issue, they give out is a “lack of motivation” to study, as they feel teachers cannot always be available to check on students.
Metaverse schooling, according to Caisen and Zayan, can help kids learn more, while staying engaged. Their presentation observes that the students can plug in their device or the VR headset anywhere they want; be it a VR centre or a friend’s place where they can spend their breaks, socialising.
The presentation also throws light into scoring system, as proposed in a VR school. “Higher marks will lead to rewards like access to Metaverse concerts and matches, ” it notes. “There will be a gaming points system for behaviour, you start with 10 points and you can gain and lose points depending on your behaviour and effort,” the presentation adds.
Explaining the concept, the Class 9 duo note that “Metaverse is a combination of the virtual reality and mixed reality worlds accessed through a browser or headset, which allows people to have real time interactions and experiences across distance in the virtual reality world.”
Metaverse schooling, the kids explain, can help enhance and unleash the imagination capabilities of school children. It would speed up response times, encourage critical thinking and also develop a sense of teamwork.

Image: Presentation by Caisen and Zayan
A classroom, can be anywhere they want; be it inside a volcano or on the moon or even under the sea. The contention, the presentation makes that the school children will love the concept of metaverse as “it would make school seem less boring and instead of them thinking that they have to go, they will want to go,” given that “they could go anywhere and experience new things and meet new people.”
Zayan Fahad, when asked what made them chose metaverse schooling as a topic, said “We chose to do a VR school because we believe bringing new technology into school will make more kids excited to go to school”.

Image: Presentation by Caisen and Zayan
“We believe that even the worse behaved students will work well and enjoy school and say that they get to go to school instead of want to go to school,” Caisen added.
Amir Hussain, COE, Yeme Architects said “Enabling young people to recognise how their interests and experiences can be channelled into something that has major benefits to society is really rewarding. As an organisation we host a lot of training placements and believe they have the power to transform future career paths and improve confidence.”
“Gaming is enjoyed by a very high proportion of young people, so by aligning that with educational outcomes Zayan and Caisen have demonstrated the value of creating propositions like this. We’re excited to see where they go next with this in their future career paths,” he added.