A growing body of research into epigenetics indicates that trauma can be transmitted to future generations. This has vast implications for societies that have experienced widespread violence and oppression, as was the case in apartheid South Africa.
In her keynote address at the Trialogue Business in Society Conference in 2020, Nomfundo Mogapi, executive director at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), noted that we have not fully addressed the depth of trauma and wounding in the country.
As such, trauma has been perpetuated, causing dysfunction on a personal and societal level.
Why learners need psychosocial support
Unfortunately, this dysfunction is brought into the classroom, with few school leaders recognising that trauma cycles can be disrupted through therapy and counselling.
Many learners come to school bearing the effects of social problems like crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, gangsterism, and the effects of hunger and poverty. This naturally affects their ability to focus on their studies, which leads to poor educational outcomes.
Whole school development (WSD) provides a framework to improve all aspects of a school’s ecosystem to create a conducive learning environment. It recognises that academic success is intrinsically linked to the social, emotional and psychological well-being of learners.
According to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), a successful WSD programme goes beyond academics to include teacher development, infrastructure enhancement, community engagement, and learner support.
How whole school development supports learners
WSD implements support through multiple integrated approaches:
Comprehensive counselling services
Counselling services directly address the challenges faced by learners, creating an environment where they feel heard, understood, and appreciated. These services encompass both prevention and intervention strategies, addressing issues such as bullying, trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Telkom’s Connected Schools Programme, launched in 2017, demonstrates the potential impact of comprehensive support. Through a partnership with Childline, the five-year programme placed auxiliary social workers in schools to provide individual counselling for learners, parents, and teachers. These professionals help identify and address social issues affecting learning while offering therapeutic interventions for mental health concerns.
However, they do not directly address issues such as bullying, teenage pregnancy, trauma, or substance abuse. School leadership needs to put bullying prevention strategies in place, while professionals who specialise in family or substance abuse issues are best equipped to deal with these challenges.
Systemic support structures
The effectiveness of psychosocial support depends on well-coordinated systems. School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs) work alongside counselling services to:
- Identify learners needing additional support
- Coordinate interventions across different support services
- Engage with families and community resources
- Monitor and evaluate support programmes
Regional initiatives and scaling support
While various non-profit organisations provide valuable support services, particularly in Gauteng, the need often exceeds available resources. Recognising this challenge, the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG) and the Gauteng Department of Education are working to expand and coordinate services more effectively.
In 2024, these organisations held a psychosocial support services stakeholder imbizo to address service delivery challenges. Key initiatives include:
- Extending psychosocial services throughout Gauteng
- Developing partnerships with NPOs to accelerate service delivery
- Creating a psychosocial/safety resource guide for parents
- Establishing coordination mechanisms to prevent service duplication
Building sustainable support services
The success of WSD depends on creating sustainable, scalable support systems. This requires:
- Consistent funding for long-term programmes
- Regular training and support for teachers and support staff
- Strong partnerships between schools, communities, and service providers
- Clear referral pathways for specialised support
- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of support programmes
Through these comprehensive approaches, WSD creates environments where learners can address both academic and personal challenges effectively. By recognising and responding to the impact of generational trauma while building robust support systems, schools can better serve their communities and help break cycles of dysfunction.
