The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
LEADING Manicaland private educational institution, First Class Academy has continued scoring firsts after enlisting the services of mental health practitioners to take learners through basic mental health therapy.
Last week saw Form One and Two learners from the institution’s Sakubva campus converging in Zimunya for mental health lessons which were being led by Dr Mazvita Machinga.
The lessons are part of First Class Academy’s endeavour to create a whole learner who contributes towards the attainment of the country’s Vision 2030.
First Class is also sponsoring medical students at the University of Zimbabwe and also offers starter packs for learners who attain 15 points and above at Advanced Level to enable them to enrol for degrees of their choice with easy.
“We are holding mental health lessons for our learners from Form One to Form Six. We have seen that our learners are facing challenges especially at home, community and school. Mental health can affect the child’s emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. If mental health is not well balanced, a child may develop a negative attitude towards life. From these lessons, learners will benefit a lot as they will be taught how to handle situations at home, community and school. We believe this will help them to grow emotionally and socially as well,” said First Class Group of Schools co-director, Mrs Tracey Mutsongodza.
Dr Machinga said: “We want to thank First Class Academy for initiating this programme because we know that mental health is stigmatised and many people do not talk much about it, yet our children are suffering. What has been done by First Class Academy helps learners to understand the importance of mental health at an early age. They will be able to talk free on all issues to do with mental health to reduce cases of depression, suicide and substance abuse.”
First Class Group of Schools director, Mr Stephen Mutsongodza said they also have a role to play in fighting substance and drug abuse among young people.
“The drug scourge is real and it is our part to help in fighting it. It is sad to see our children becoming drug addicts and through these mental health lessons, we hope our learners will pick one or two life skills and change their way of thinking. We all have a role to play in ensuring a drug-free society,” said Mr Mutsongodza.
