VRYHEID KZN: Kanyekanye High School learners get career guindance

The decisions that young people make in high school have a huge impact on their future. The main thing that secondary schools should contribute towards learners is to help or prepare them for their career paths. In most cases, learners get to make their subject choices when they are in Grade 10 and they will continue with those subjects until Grade 12, but one thing Zakhele Foundation initiator Zakhele Xulu has picked up on is that students sometimes choose subjects at a stage when they do not know exactly what they want to do after high school. Xulu and his partner visited Kanyekanye High School in the area of Bilanyoni, Paulpietersburg, last week Friday. Xulu mentioned that they mainly wanted to address the Grade 12 learners on the factors influencing their careers; the first factor being poverty. “It happens more especially in rural areas that a child will look at their background and figure that they are not going to further their studies because they are poor. Sometimes that child has a lot of potential, but poverty will drag them back. We have to remind them that there is a way to continue with their studies, regardless of their situation at home.” He also said that even foster kids can further their studies after matric, as long as they have the right documents when they are applying. The second factor he touched on was family values. “I know this is supposed to be said directly to the parents, but parents should support their children in whatever choice of field they want to study; they should not choose the careers for their children or pressurise them into studying something they do not love or have passion for.” Zakhele once again reminded the learners to apply on time to avoid walk-ins and late applications. He urged the learners to apply even if they haven’t received their ID smart cards. “While some learners said they are still waiting for their IDs, that should not stop them from applying on time. They can use their birth certificates, because the main thing that is wanted is their ID numbers. It is also important for learners to be careful when they are applying; read every question with understanding and fill in all the necessary information using a computer or a laptop, since everything becomes clearer when one is using those devices, rather than a cell-phone.” He concluded by reminding the learners about the importance of having their own personal emails, creating a myNSFAS account and not losing their cell-phone numbers that they used to applied with. “If it happens that a learner has lost their SIM card, I advise them to do a SIM swap so they can still be able to know what is happening with their applications.” ALSO READ: Vryheid KZN: Academic successes at Vryheid High School Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms for regular updates