1. CSTL Sharing Meeting 2014 Psychosocial Support Southern Sun O.R. Tambo - Johannesburg, South Africa 17-20 November 2014

2. Presentation Outline  A description of the programme or policy  Achievements  Challenges  Opportunities/Emerging Issues  Key lessons learnt

3. need for pss in schools All children have some challenges; school provides opportunity for normalization Schools are the service which reaches the most children on the most sustained basis Challenges are also barriers to learning Teachers face same challenges in personal lives Opportunities for schools to engage with families & community – to benefit the schools & the community Can also benefit children who are not in school Potential for positive benefit in educational outcomes for individual learners, schools & whole education system Enhances sense of purpose, hope for the future --- builds resilience

4. packages for the provision of pss  Teachers’ Diploma – strengthening the education system from the individual, class. School, community and the system level ; 16 month programme  Journeying Towards our Dreams – school – community strengthening workshop & approach  Extracurricular activities such as Kids Clubs, sports, include variety of activities  Curricular activities such as Hero Book  Enhancing child participation in school councils, within the classroom, the school, community  Community packages such the Journey of Life, Certificate in Community Based work with Child  Younger children – home school partnerships

5. successes in implementation School communities becoming more supportive, caring, protective – of in and out of school children Education system is appreciating the value of PSS – beyond just science, English & maths etc Including the whole physical & social environment Supporting the whole child & teachers Conducive learning & teaching environments More community involvement More learner participation-cooperation More focus on learning Enhanced quality of teaching and learning

6. Challenges / Lessons learnt Increased demand vs. Supply Movement of teachers through transfers Management support is required all the way through Integration into pre-service Selection of the people to champion the intervention is critical Involvement of the other school-community stakeholders from inception Financial capacity to roll out the intervention further Convincing the entire education system

7. Opportunities/Emerging Issues Sexuality education Addressing early marriages & teenage pregnancy Involvement of children in economic activities rather than education Adult literacy – more engagement with parents & communities Linking social protection with access, retention in education

8. Comments and Questions from the Floor & Other Panellists.