Abstract
The education system in South Africa is exacerbated with challenges that influence the effective teaching and learning in school, for example, discipline, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, low self-esteem, lack of positive role models, peer pressure, poor study habits, poverty, etc. Guidance and counselling nurture learners to make informed decisions and about life and this deepens learners' self-knowledge, beliefs, interests, etc. Since the dawn of democratic government in South Africa, guidance was phased out in schools and replaced with Life Orientation (LO). LO as a compulsory subject focuses on self in relation to others and society. It addresses skills, knowledge, and values for people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, involved in solving problems and make informed decisions. The teaching LO in schools prepares and empowers learners to become responsible citizens. The chapter aims to help LO teachers to understand the key role of LO in schools, in the midst of the challenges.
TopIntroduction
This chapter aims to explore the role played by Life Orientation (LO) in enhancing guidance and counselling in schools. Learners experience numerous challenges that affect their learning in schools. The challenges include learner discipline, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, low self-esteem, lack of positive role models, peer pressure, violence, poor study habits, poverty, etc. Despite the prevailing challenges that learners experience in schools, mastery of 21st century skills is of utmost importance. The acquisition of these skills enable learners to become lifelong learners who can cope with demands even beyond school. Through guidance and counselling learners are empowered to live a productive life for them to be able make decisions about life adjustments and careers. However, in South Africa, guidance and counselling services are not available for the majority of learners in schools. Hence, LO as a compulsory subject introduced in South African schools is the only alternative that integrates the elements of guidance and counselling services in schools. The chapter discusses the challenges facing learners in schools, acquisition of 21st century skills, the importance of guidance and counselling services for learners in schools, and teaching of LO in schools. The chapter has some recommendations about guidance and counselling and the teaching of LO in schools.
Chapter Objectives
After you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
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Identify the challenges affecting the learners in schools.
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Discover how these challenges affect learners in schools.
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Recognize the importance of acquiring 21st century skills.
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Examine the importance of guidance and counselling services for learners in schools.
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Know how the teaching of Life Orientation addresses guidance and counselling.
Key Terms in this Chapter
21st Century Skills: Fundamental abilities that empower one to succeed in today’s world.
Study Skills: Discrete strategies used when learning that are applicable in most fields of study.
Self-Awareness: One’s ability to know his / her personality including the strengths and weaknesses.
Problem Solving: A premeditated and logical way of identifying and resolving a problem.
Life-Long Learner: A person with an ongoing self-driven quest of knowledge for both personal and professional gains.
Transformation: A state of complete change that brings about improvement in something or someone.
Democracy: The government elected by the majority of the people.
Guidance and Counselling: A process of helping people to ascertain and improve their well-being, scholastic and occupational competencies to become self-actualized people.
Career Education: The occupational preparation for a particular career that does not only focus on the specialized subjects but more on tools, skills and practical training for one to succeed in a chosen occupation.
Decision-Making: An action taken to make essential resolutions.
Responsible Citizen: A change agent who knows the role to play in their communities, their country, and their world.
Curriculum: A plan used for learning the content in achieving learning outcomes and purpose of an educational programme with planned activities/learning experience in a school.
Psychological Well-Being: Constructive interactions with others and being autonomous with a purpose and meaning in life.