June stands at the heart of the academic year, a season marked by mid-year exams, academic demands, a pivot of what has been achieved and what lies ahead through the academic journey ahead. It is an intensive and overwhelming moment to the learners and teachers alike. However, it is a time to build resilience, strengthen focus and trust in God.
It is not just exam time to students, but rather, a time to understand the tools of comprehension: exams; not the learner’s worth. These tools highlight and reveal areas of strength and weakness for a better approach and realignment. They should not create fear and anxieties, but rather, confidence and better preparation. A better study plan, time management, and better focus of physical and mental wellbeing. Let’s refer to prophet Isaiah who speaks these words: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10). There lies our strength. With faith and commitment, every challenge becomes manageable.
This is a demanding season to the teachers as well. Apart from teaching, setting and marking exams, they are expected to offer guidance to learners and encourage them for a positive future even beyond academic results. They are meant to make clear assessments of signs of stress, anxiety and discouragements from their learners and offer them encouragement and assurance in and out of exams, and help them to conquer fear and inadequacy in their doubts.
Parents as well are called to a better understanding of their sons and daughters in schools. They should take this time as a moment for encouragement to their children by creating better environments for home studies. They should ensure their children of enough time to rest and even offer them emotional support. They should speak encouraging words and prophesy good and bright future for their children. By this they will erase life fears and create confidence in the minds of their children. A supportive and serene home improves the child’s abilities to cope with learning and life in general.
The community should aspire for the holistic development of their young ones. Emotional wellbeing, spiritual grounding and mental strength are just as important as academic work. Let us offer our young ones in our prayers, that they may have clarity of hope in their minds, peace of heart and courage to forge ahead and carry on the mantle.
In this month, let us contemplate the idea of endurance and perseverance together. Let us ponder the concept that, growth is a journey that we pass through challenges and perseverance in order to emerge good characters. Persistence, endurance and perseverance produce character. Let us all develop the spirit of commitment, mutual support and encouragement and ask God to strengthen us in faith and hope and success is our portion.