The curriculum of the Life Orientation (LO ) learning area forms an excellent basis for equipping learners to respond positively to social demands, assume responsibilities, and optimise their life chances. I report on a qualitative study that focused on the extent to which schools and LO teachers succeeded in achieving the outcomes of the programmes. Teachers’ views regarding their training and skills in this area were investigated and factors that determined successful implementation were probed. Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires and in terviews with principals and LO teachers from 12 secondary schools in four provinces in South Africa. Principals identified the problems they experienced in establishing the necessary climate and structures for the implementation of Life Orienta tio n in their schools and teachers described the barriers they had struggled to overcome. The findings emphasised key challenges in achieving success full implem entation of the LO programmes in schools.