For what it’s worth, my personal congratulations to all of our young people who successfully gained their school leaving ticket last year, otherwise known a the Matric Certificate, also referred to as your “get out of school free” card.
You thought school was tough, wait until you get absorbed into the bosom of higher education, where your learning skills will be tested and redefined.
The actual pass mark appears to be a bit of a grey area indeed, as after listening to the education department official, I am not sure if the 30% is per subject or for the whole pass?
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I wonder why such a low percentage is accepted as a pass, or is this a rhetorical question that does not warrant an in-depth investigation, as the explanation is just too unsettling to comprehend?
I found it quite amusing in a way, just how appearing in cap and gown has become such a status statement, as this apparel was politely reserved for college and university graduates alone.
Now pre-primary toddlers upon their “graduation” are photographed, as are the successful matric learners, in their caps and gowns to formalise their achievement.
The next step is now the further education to turn them into useful tools in the workplace, able to earn an income, pay taxes and not be a burden to the state.
Well young persons, you thought finishing high school was a tough quest, even with the 30% benchmark. Ha!
College or university will draw the best and worst out of you believe me.
Gone are the party nights and heavenly dating excursions, especially those who hover nearer to the 30% measure than higher up the percentile scale.
All through your 12 school years you were spoon fed, now that cosseting is all gone, and the resultant emotion to this abandonment is similar to the feeling in your stomach, when the rug is pulled out from under your feet.
Bump, down on your butt and scrabbling to gain purchase on something or someone, in order to get back on the higher learning escalator to educational fulfilment and career prosperity.
We all know, saying being aware of is not a strong enough phrase, that the unemployment plight of this country of ours can be exemplified in the illustration on the front of the novel by Ayn Rand called “Atlas Shrugged”.
The front cover of the book, depicts Atlas who is weighed down by the earth, which he steadies with his hands on his shoulder.
That is how I see our country fellow South Africans, being weighed down by its 35% unemployment rate.
I acknowledge that Covid-19 has not helped the state of affairs, but our young school leavers should be more encouraged to study at a college, where skills can be learned which will make you self-employable. Yes. No boss to answer to, just to your conscience and resolve.
There is no stigma to being a welder, a plumber or a mechanic. In fact you are probably better off than the architect or lawyer because your skills are needed everywhere by everyone.
Remember, no job means no food on the table, no car, no house and therefore no family future. Go for it and succeed!
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