Failing matric ‘not the end of the world’

When the matric results are released, not everyone gets to celebrate the end of a successful high school experience. Some matriculants find themselves excited to be starting their higher education journeys while others have the foggiest notion and feel unsure of what to do next.

“Failing matric is not the end of the world. However, don’t let it become a roadblock to your success. There are various options for learners to consider if they have failed or are not satisfied with their marks. On the contrary, Star Schools support learners who have been unsuccessful in achieving the required symbols for access to tertiary institutions,” said CEO of Star Schools Vimala Ariyan.

Also read: There is hope for matrics who failed/ did poorly – Online School

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reported that 9.5% of teen deaths in South Africa are caused by suicide. Disappointment after failing matric has been identified as one of the triggers. However, the good news is that there are plenty of alternatives for learners who are unsure of what to do or are unsatisfied with their matric results.

Also read: Didn’t pass matric? There are options available to you

Here are a few options you can consider after failing matric:

• Consider the matric rewrite programme

Whether you have failed, or you have passed but are dissatisfied with your marks, you can now rewrite and improve your matric marks at specific institutions. However, you are not allowed to change any subjects; rather, you must rewrite the subjects you wrote in your Matric final exams. Fortunately, there is no restriction on the number of times you can rewrite your matric.

“Several learners have been considering this option and they have achieved improved high school results through our Saturday School, Matric Rewrite, and Incubator programmes,” added Vimala.

• Re-do some subjects

If you did poorly in one or more subjects or if you did not get into your desired institution because a few of the subjects required for a degree did not meet minimum requirements, you can consider upgrading them at specific institutions.

• Request for a remark

If you have failed or are unhappy with your results and believe that your marks need to be corrected, you can request a remark. However, it must be done within 21 days of the Minister of Education’s formal release of results. Even though it comes with a price, it may be beneficial to you as you may find yourself with satisfactory results that can get you into the university of your choice.

• Enroll on skill development courses

Skill development courses are ideal for getting a job or starting a business. These courses equip people with the skills and knowledge they require to be functional and resourceful in the work environment. This is perfect for individuals who want to begin working as soon as possible. When you finish the short course, you will receive a certificate qualification that you can use to become self-employed and get a job in other companies.

“Several learners who usually register for the matric rewrite programme do so to qualify for tertiary education. Our programmes have been extremely successful over the years, with some of our learners gaining successful entry into higher education institutions. As a result, we encourage those who failed their matric to take advantage of such programmes rather than giving up,” concluded Vimala.