Life Orientation is central to the holistic development of learners. It is a compulsory subject. It addresses skills, knowledge and values for the personal, social, intellectual, emotional and physical growth of learners, and is concerned with the way in which these facets are interrelated. Life Orientation guides and prepares learners for life and its possibilities and equips them for meaningful and successful living in a rapidly changing and transforming society.
The focus of Life Orientation is the development of self-in-society. It promotes self-motivation and teaches learners how to apply goal-setting, problem-solving and decision-making strategies. These serve to facilitate individual growth as part of an effort to create a democratic society, a productive economy and an improved quality of life. Learners are guided to develop their full potential and are provided with opportunities to make informed choices regarding personal and environmental health, study opportunities and future careers.
Life Orientation helps learners to develop beneficial social interactions, such as respecting others’ rights and values while promoting lifelong participation in recreation and physical activity.The principles of the Constitution are reflected in the curriculum and defined in the Learning Outcomes of Life Orientation – Social justice, Respect for the environment, Human Rights, and Inclusivity.
In particular, the curriculum attempts to be sensitive to issues such as poverty, inequality, race, gender, age, disability and such challenges as HIV/AIDS