The Cave of Symptoms: The Hidden Conditions Behind Behaviour, Attendance and Disengagement
What if behaviour, attendance and disengagement are not the real problem, but symptoms of something deeper? In this SSF Weekly Reflection, Dr Shungu M’gadzah explores the Cave of Symptoms—a Six Stages Framework metaphor for the way schools, organisations and systems often focus on visible outcomes while overlooking the conditions beneath them. From anxiety and unmet need to psychological safety, belonging and systems change, this reflection invites readers to look beyond surface explanations and ask what it truly takes to create environments where people can learn, contribute and thrive.
