Pupils given valuable lesson on how to cope with life’s challenges

This has opened a door for pupils to be able to talk to teachers for assistance

Your mental wellbeing is important.

This was the message shared with grade 11 and 12 pupils from three high schools in a campaign launched by the Kwabhaca Mall.

The programme visited Zwelakhe, Osborn and Lutateni senior secondary schools after residents voted on the mall’s Facebook page.

Collaborating with teachers at the schools, the mall’s marketing manager and a life coach spent time with pupils to help them navigate a number of issues, including coping with pressure, time management and building self-confidence and self-awareness.

Prince Mbukhwe, a teacher at Lutateni, said they had pupils who were demotivated and came from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Teachers at the school received life coaching books, which will help those teaching life orientation.

“This will assist us because pupils used to find it hard to raise their issues,” Mbukhwe said.

“Receiving life coaching will improve the relationship that we have with them, especially those faced with stress [and] anxiety.”

Zwelakhe’s principal, Nkosinekhaya Makhaba, said the initiative came at just the right time.

“Grade 12 pupils are under pressure. Some of them are experiencing social challenges back home.

“This has opened a door for pupils to be able to talk to teachers for assistance and will also help them perform better academically,” he said.

Osborn principal Ncedo Siyangaphi said they counted themselves lucky to have been one of the chosen schools.

“We found the programme very meaningful and helpful to pupils since we are a rural boarding school.

“We have many children and they come from different backgrounds and face different problems.”

He said this opened a door for pupils to communicate freely with teachers.

“They made our interaction with pupils easy. We are grateful for the opportunity.”

Life coach and author Mveleli Mlamli saidtopics include time management and, especially for grade 12 pupils, how to cope with pressures, commitment and social challenges such as working on self-esteem.

“We focus on how they can take practical steps to achieve their goals, and on how to make use of available opportunities to achieve what they want.”

He said pupils experienced different challenges, ranging from dysfunctional homes to socioeconomic issues such as poverty and abuse, among other things.

Mall assistant centre manager and marketing manager Babalwa Makalima said they wanted to gift pupils with a back-toschool initiative that would positively affect and improve their lives.

“We shared our different life experiences and how to prioritise mostly on time management and how to handle it,” she said.

Makalima said they emphasise emotional intelligence and how to cope with mental issues, as well as providing support to one another.

“We want to see them gain confidence, address their mental health challenges and know its importance, to create pupils who will stand up for themselves and change their backgrounds.”