Impact of lockdown on university students’ learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Central Bulgaria

In order to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning process of students in the South-Central region of Bulgaria, an online survey was conducted at the University of Plovdiv Paisii Hilendarski during the period from November 17 to December 5, 2020. The questionnaire was created via Google Forms and the link was shared with the students through social media (Facebook pages of the University and Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences). A total of 134 questionnaires were correctly completed during the study period. For analysis of the collected data the percentage distribution is calculated and statistical methods and machine learning methods are applied. During the lockdown, all respondents are trained remotely, with about 60% (80) of the learners learning entirely in an electronic environment. Most of the trainees (62%) used a laptop to participate in the learning process. Students face various problems, such as lack of sufficient means of subsistence (51%), health problems (47%), internet connectivity problems (32%) and lack of suitable conditions for learning at home (21%). Students from small settlements and those with incomes below the poverty line face serious challenges during the pandemic.