Educators need an abundance of life skills
In addition to their educational obligations, comes the role of front line counselling
THE tragic death of a young learner in Empangeni this week is evidence of just how much more schools are responsible for, beyond the huge task of teaching our children.
In addition to their educational obligations, comes the role of front line counselling.
As ‘second mothers’ to the beginners, teachers must, with a balance of love and discipline, provide everything from rules of social behaviour to lessons as diverse as sharing and personal hygiene.
They must bandage scraped knees, wipe away unhappy tears, settle disputes and provide an environment where all the learners feel accepted and important, without prejudice or favouritism towards those who either excel or struggle.
Educators have the task of ‘reading between the lines’, to look for clues of home unhappiness and strife, or even mental or physical abuse.
It may, especially with slightly older children, even get to the veiled warning a child is contemplating suicide.
Sadly, educators also have to look for signs of drug usage or sexual abuse.
This in addition to the perpetual teenage issues of unwanted pregnancies and relationship anxiety.
Mental and emotional trials among their charges are equally matched by the burden of ensuring safety and security – protecting the school goers from unwanted elements and dangers.
Even on the sports fields – as school sport becomes ever more competitive – educators who coach teams now need to be fully equipped to recognise and properly handle injuries, especially those that could potentially lead to paralysis.
All the above point to one obvious conclusion: educators must get plenty of training, guidance and support in areas that go far beyond the subjects they must teach.
This especially applies to the many young and inexperienced teachers who may be unprepared for some of the challenges they might face.
Teachers should themselves be schooled in counselling, drug awareness, first aid, CPR and a host of other entities.
The Department of Education and school governing bodies would do well ensure they are given as many life skills as possible.
