Support Services offered at all sites

Personal Counselling and Therapy

WHAT IS PERSONAL COUNSELLING?

Counselling is also referred to as therapy. It is not an advice-giving session, but rather a process whereby you and the counsellor discuss what has brought you to counselling and the possible ways in which to deal with or manage the situation. The long-term goal of counselling is to improve your personal functioning and stimulate personal growth. It is important to remember that anybody can come for therapy, it is not limited to certain individuals.

In order for the counsellor to assist you, he or she may ask you questions about your life and family history. There will also be times when you will have to reflect on and think about your own behaviour and how you can change/manage your situation/problem or feelings. Sometimes, this can be upsetting and cause some temporary emotional distress. But, if you are feeling distressed, please talk to your counsellor about it. Also, as the purpose of counselling is to bring about change in your life, it could affect your relationships with other people in your life. This change can be either positive or negative. If you experience any difficulties with this, please speak with your counsellor.

The success of therapy is influenced by a number of factors. One of the most important factors is the degree to which you are willing to take responsibility for bringing about change. No therapist can give a guarantee that counselling will be successful.

It is also important to remember that counselling is a process and that you may have to attend a few sessions. The duration of these sessions are usually 45 minutes to 1 hour.

HOW DO I FIND A COUNSELLOR/SOCIAL WORKER AT EEC?

At EEC, you will find a counsellor/social worker at the each of our five campuses. Every EEC campus has a SSS department

For a counselling appointment, you can visit one of our offices. You can refer yourself for therapy. Some students are referred by lecturers or medical professionals, but we will not turn you away if you are not.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE SSS UNIT FOR PERSONAL COUNSELLING?

When you make an appointment, you will need to fill out an intake form. You will receive an appointment card and an information leaflet. You must then return to the SSS office for your appointment. You do not always need a referral from someone else. You can simply come to our offices.

ARE THERE FEES INVOLVED FOR PERSONAL COUNSELLING?

No, these services are for EEC students – at no cost.

WHO DOES THE PERSONAL COUNSELLING?

Social Workers.

CONFIDENTIALITY

1. All conversations and information gathered in the counselling sessions are highly confidential. It will not be, subject to what is stated in paragraph 2, disclosed to anyone without your consent.
2. In certain exceptional situations, however, legal or professional rules may force your counsellor to disclose information about you. These will include:
   • ​Emergency Situations
     Should a situation arise where the counsellor believes that there is a real risk that you may harm yourself or that another person may be harmed, he or she will be compelled to take the necessary steps to prevent such harm, even if this may entail breaching confidentiality.​
   • Court Orders
     A court may order a counsellor to disclose private information and any notes regarding the client.

Termination of Therapy

Either you, or the counsellor, can terminate therapy at any stage. The counsellor will only terminate therapy in consultation with you and in a professionally accountable way.

AFTER-HOURS COUNSELLING (BETWEEN 16:00 AND 7:30)

• Life Line (24/7) - 0861 322 322
• South African Depression and Anxiety Group - 0800 12 13 142
• SADAG Emergency Suicide - ​0800 567 567
• SADAG (SMS and we will call you back) – 1393
• Higher health free 24 hours online/virtual therapy sessions, powered by SADAG 0800 363 636
• Substance Abuse Help Line - 0800 12 13 14  (sms 32312)

Career Counselling and Development

SELECTION AND PLACEMENT TESTING

Potential Assessment is a selection mechanism that may be used in the admissions process in addition to your basic education results.

STUDENT PROFILING

The Student Profiling process is based on an assessment called Profiler:

It focuses on the Early Identification of a student at risk of being unsuccessful in his/her studies at EEC, either due to inadequate academic skills, underdeveloped emotional intelligence, career orientation or lack of language and numeracy proficiency. By profiling the first-time entering students at the beginning of each cycle, a starting point can be determined for the provision of relevant interventions that are likely to enhance the student’s chances of graduating.  After completing the evaluation, students and all relevant lecturers are provided with comprehensive reports during a feedback session. The Student Profiling process has little value if students do not complete the recommended interventions.

Student Funding (FAO)

The core business and mandate of Financial Aid is to manage and administer various student funding opportunities for deserving students according to sponsor specific requirements. Our goal is to ensure that eligible students have access to these funds at all our campuses.

• NSFAS
  • https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/

Student Liaison Officers

The main purpose of a student liaison officer is to ensure that students receive all the necessary support they need in order to be successful students both academically and socially.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

• Peer to Peer Tutor Programme (Individual/Group Tutor Sessions)
• Workshops (Study Skills and Exam Preparedness)
• Assist with application for extra time and special considerations, examinations

SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE ACTIVITIES

• EEC offers variety of sport codes for students. These include cricket, netball, rugby, table-tennis, chess, soccer, golf and athletics.

Social Support Services and Psycho-Education

The purpose of the social support and psycho-education programme facilitated by SSS is to initiate​ campaigns and projects that focus on relevant social issues – specifically related to the student community. The programme is needs driven and therefore changes constantly.

Campaigns and projects on the following are facilitated:

• Personal safety.
• Trauma.
• Substance abuse.
• Unplanned pregnancy and abortion, just to name a few.

The aim of the programme is to inform and to be pro-active in addressing some of the many psycho-social challenges that many of our students are confronted with on a daily basis. Relevant information is provided to students in such a way that they are receptive to the content. In view of this, the approach is normally quite informal. To optimise the effectiveness of the programme, students are encouraged to become partners (i.e. they receive specialised training in various social support matters such as the (Peer to Peer Counselling Programme) in assisting the Student Support Services Officials with, among others, creating awareness and assisting fellow students in need.

Life Skills

The Life Skills programme aims to assist students to develop meaningful academic and personal skills, knowledge and abilities that could enhance their College experience and potentially enable them to draw on higher education experience as an enabler of life chances. This programme is offered via lectures over one full academic semester.

​The Student Support Services presents the Life Skills programme to achieve three major outcomes. Programmes are also structured according to the three basic principles:

Three major outcomes:

• Effective living
• Effective learning
• Employability/Entrepreneurship

Three basic principles:

• An outcomes based approach that implies creative facilitation and, when required, continuous assessment.
• Maximum practical application and internalisation opportunities.
• Flexibility and client need orientation.

Academic themes

• Goal setting.
• Time management.
• Information processing /Summarising.
• Classroom skills / Note-taking strategies
• Memorising skills.
• Test taking and exam strategies / integration of academic skills.

Personal themes

• Understanding the challenges of adjustment to student life.
• Managing personal stress effectively.
• Conflict management / problem solving.
• Relationships and friends.

Student Support Services Policies

Click on the name to view the PDF

SRC Constitution

Admission Policy

ICASS Policy

Students’ Code of Conduct

EEC Code of Conduct

DoE – FET Student Support Services Manual

Final Draft Policy Peer to Peer

Student Health and Wellness

The SSS Department in collaboration with Higher Health seeks to help students reduce the effect of health-related which, if left unaddressed, may lead to delaying completion and even dropping out from their studies. This is done through the: First Things First activations.

There are 8 focus areas:

1. HIV/TB/STIs– Education, screening, testing and referral for treatment and care
2. Gender-Based violence– Policy development, dialogues, screenings, referral for care
3. Disability– Linkage to care and services, sensitise and educate on disabilities, promote access to care
4. LGBTQI– Di-stigmatization, dialogues, link to care and services, dialogues
5. Alcohol and Drug abuse prevention– Awareness’, dialogues, screenings, referral to care and interventions
6. Mental Health– Screenings, awareness, education, referral to psychologist, linkage to care
7. Sexual Reproductive Health– Provision of contraception, education, screening, linkage to care, advocacy for sexual health rights and services
8. Covid19– Protocol development, screening, referral, prevention and vaccinations

If any of the students need assistance with matters related to the above, they should see the social worker for referral to Higher Health official.

Events

Gallery

Student Representative Council

Functions

The SRC represents the students of EEC in matters that may affect such students.

The matters contemplated in the constitution are –

• liaison with the College Council, the Executive, Management, Campus Management, other institutions, students’ Representative councils of other institutions, national or international student organisations, and news media;
• Serving as the umbrella organisation for all student committees, clubs, councils and societies, and granting or withdrawing recognition of such student committees, clubs, councils and societies as it deems fit;
• The coordination and supervision of the use of students' facilities and all matters pertaining thereto, in conjunction with the management of the College;
• The convening and conducting of all authorised meetings of the student body and serving as the managing body in all general referenda and petitions organised by the students in terms of the rules;
• The appointment of such office-bearers and establishing of such committees as it deems necessary;
• The organisation and promotion of extramural activities among students;
• The responsibility for the preservation of order at student functions, and ensuring good conduct at other approved meetings of students;
• The coordination of student involvement in all community projects initiated by it;
• The responsibility for all student publications;
• The recommendation to the Council of rules to determine the execution of its affairs;
• Final decision-making in all matters falling within its jurisdiction; and
• Such additional functions and privileges as may be specifically conferred upon it by the Council.

Composition

Only registered students are eligible to serve on the SRC.  The SRC, must be representative of the student body and consist six of students from each campus elected by the students of each specific campus.  The election of SRC members must be democratic and transparent.

Office Bearers

The SRC elects from among its members a president to act as chairperson and a deputy president to act as deputy chairperson. The functions of other office-bearers and the election of office-bearers are as determined by the SRC. The composition of the SRC may not be repealed or amended, except after consultation with the SRC constitution.

Mosading Mokgomogane

SRC President

Noluthando Mathebula

Deputy SRC President

Neo Thukoane

Secretary General

Zukiswa Sikhotshi

Deputy Secretary General

Lerato Modipa

Treasurer General

Banele Sibanyoni

Director of Public Relations

Khuliso Sirafa

Director of Projects and Campaigns

Ayanda Masilela

Director of Health and Safety

Nelisiwe Sangweni

Director of Academics

Lourance Thamaga

Director of Sports and Culture

Term of Office of the SRC Members

The term of office of the members of the SRC is one (1) year.

Privileges

The privileges of members of the SRC are as determined by the College Council, after consultation with the SRC.

Meetings of SRC

The number of meetings, the quorum of a meeting and the meeting procedure are determined by the Constitution of the SRC, as approved by the College.

General meeting

The SRC must convene at least one (1) general meeting of student. Meetings may not disrupt academic activities unless the Principal has granted prior permission.

Contact us