Bridging the quality education gap
The interplay between students’ well-being and academic success in higher education in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20853/40-5-8542Keywords:
Student support, student well-being, Academic achievement, sense of belonging, student retention, resilienceAbstract
In the contemporary world quality education is influenced by numerous factors, including the well-being of students in higher education environments. This article therefore explores the significance of the well-being of students as an essential factor in achieving necessary quality education. Many HEIs tend to overlook this component of student’s well-being and focus primarily on students’ academic achievements as a formal educational goal. Through a systematic literature review this article uses a qualitative research method to analyse secondary sources of data. For this purpose, data was collected through interactions with peer-reviewed publications produced between 2019 and 2025, to substantiate its discussions. The findings revealed a gap within the academic experiences of enrolled students, which may be mitigated through strengthened wellness support services. The article highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance student well-being and advocates for institution-based wellness programmes that are available to all students, irrespective of gender, beliefs, and religious background. The study is well positioned to assists in assessing the extent to which HEIs are committed to promoting student wellness alongside the delivery of quality education. Prioritising student Through such an approach the well-being of students is nominated as a vital component of improving quality education and promoting a healthier academic environment for students. The article further calls for collaborative action among HEIs stakeholders to finance supportive environments that emphasise both academic achievement and the resilience and well-being of enrolled students.
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