Most school principals and other administrators have developed a feeling that all learners have to behave in a certain way. Conversely, many school rules with many chapters are introduced to the learners as they join the institution upon which they append their signatures.
Some learners exhibit very unbelievably sorry behaviour in the school setting and it does challenge administrators as to whether they are willfully evil or mentally blind.
As the society at large appears, there’s bitterness from all quarters and especially from the youth. This attribute is sometimes exploited and explored by politicians who level the youth against other people, which is unethical.
The truth that is crystal clear is that 50 per cent of school going learners, especially in urban areas, manifest notable learning, behavioural and emotional challenges whose roots are found in restricted opportunities in life, high poverty index and difficult living opportunities.
Mental health is our new normal attribute in our homes, learning institutions, places of worship and everywhere else. Its related indicators include anxiety, depression, opposition, defiance, attention deficit and even hyperactivity disorder.
We all need to be very keen about such queer behavior, failure to which we may be harmed or it may harm others.
A child could be performing poorly in exams, not necessarily because of being an underachiever, but because the mind of the learner is majorly preoccupied by many unimaginable obstacles. Teachers may predominantly subject them to name branding, beating, summoning parents, but all may not pay off.
Some learners are inherently defiant and derive a lot of satisfaction and pleasure in being crazy. Such learners may spontaneously pass over the same innate behaviour to their peers, thereby resulting to a felony.
Schools are educational institutions and buildings well designed to provide learning opportunities, as well as creating an enabling environment for the teaching of learners from diverse backgrounds and as such teachers have to rise above such limitations to create a level playing ground. They should also stoop low to find and address individual challenges.
Inclusive attention has to be levelled towards all learners and even members available in the society all over by enhancing some important steps, like improving the amount and quality of sleep and encouragement of creativity, especially in places of interest.
Other important approaches to address mental health is to embrace relaxation in order to reduce stress, exploring nature-Museums, animal parks and site seeing.
Another very important approach is to enhance regular exercise so that negative energy can be got rid of.
One other important activity that should not just be limited to learning institutions is to encourage interaction through sports, drama, and talent shows. This has produced amazing results on a person wrestling with mental disorder.
We should all learn how to approach and interact with people who have mental challenges through four simple steps: by asking them whether they’re okay, listening to them intently, encouraging them to talk and interact, and developing their trust and capacity to open up.
It is just necessary for all educators to shelve animosity and hostility through suspension, expulsion, reprimanding, but create more time with people going through such challenges. This will improve performance and enhance peaceful coexistence.
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By Hillary Muhalya
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