WHOLE SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT: WHY and HOW TO INVEST
WHY AND HOW TO INVEST
UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT OF WHOLE SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT
Creating enabling environments for educational success
Whole school development turns educational institutions into nurturing spaces where learners can strive for both academic excellence and social wellbeing.
Interventions include leadership development programmes for educators, evidence-based psychosocial support, and the creation of safe, inclusive learning environments where learners are supported beyond academics.
This is particularly important in a country like South Africa, where the socioeconomic and psychological legacies of apartheid continue to exert an influence. This 2023 research paper on intergenerational trauma in South Africa delves into the effects of such trauma on young adults, indicating lingering psychological effects that influence socio-emotional behaviour and mental health.
Similar studies have emerged from other African countries, where climate-related stress and trauma, as well as poverty, high levels of unemployment, gender-based violence and the prevalence of HIV and Aids have a detrimental effect on young people.
The school environment can compound some of these traumas, but whole school development envisages schools as places of healing and growth, overcoming historical barriers to quality education while focusing on the wellbeing of learners.
Research shows that whole school development can:
- – Improve academic performance.
- – Create effective remedial support programmes.
- – Make students more resilient by developing life skills and emotional intelligence.
- – Develop leadership and teamwork skills.
- – Connect learners with mentors and role models.
- – Build conflict resolution abilities.
- – Strengthen community connections.
- – Develop more resilient learning environments.
Potential models of intervention
Whole school development usually focuses on four areas of development in concert (although not every area must be covered).
They are:
- · Leadership and management
- · Infrastructure
- · Curriculum and co-curricular development
- · Learner wellbeing and community involvement
Companies may choose to focus on an area or areas that are in alignment with their core competencies and interests – for example, Telkom focuses on ICT and financial literacy, but also recognise that learners may require psychosocial support alongside digital skills.