Our Gr. 12 learners though need to wait till January 7, 2014 for the Minister of Education and the various Departments of Education to announce the final results.
Many decisions need to be taken and adaptations to be made based on the final results.
Many will be happy and relieved while others may be disappointed and stressed out.
It is of utmost importance to bear in mind that the human brain doesn’t always mature cognitively and emotionally “in time” for the final exams in November of each year.
A learner might have worked hard throughout the year but is still retained to repeat the academic year due to the education system.
Such a learner may mature during the course of the following year and can be “fast tracked” but it will also be to the detriment of the learner (the next academic year is shortened drastically).
Our community very quickly labels a learner for being a failure without thinking of the contextual factors contributing to these undesired results.
Let’s focus on and prepare for 2014 in time.
Make sure your child gets into a school and furthermore into the correct school.
Make sure you are happy and feel at ease with his/her choice and that provision is made for his/her career path with regard to the curriculum and combination of possible subject choices.
Due to limited human resources and specific needs required, schools are not always in the position to cater for all possibilities.
All schools do offer the same curriculum up to the end of Grade 9, but differ in the offering of subjects in Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Your teenager will have to make subject choices before entering Grade 10.
Discuss these choices with them so that they make the choices that will help them achieve their dreams and entering the corporate world they inspiring for.
Ask for guidance from professionals.
The world filling with technology and our country faces a “major challenge in terms of a shortage of high level skills in engineering, health, science, etc. for which mathematics and science are important subject.”
There are three types of schools: Fee-paying, No-fee and private schools.
n Fee-Paying Schools: Many schools are charging fees and usually you will be asked to sign a contract that you will pay school fees monthly. At the Annual General Meeting legitimate parents attending the meeting have to take various Resolutions which include the paying of school fees. After such a resolution has been taken by the parents present and properly recorded, the paying of school fees becomes a statuary obligation. Parents can apply for assistance and reduction in school fees and the Governing Body must consider each application according to a formula issued by the Department. Gross income of both parents (biological parents, guardians or any person taking up the role of a parent) determines whether a parent(s) qualifies or not. Public school cannot suspend, expel any child or withhold reports and results from you or your child because of outstanding fees.
n No-Fee Schools: No school fees are paid. These schools get money from the provincial government for all the basic expenses of the school. They will however do fundraising and ask for donations to cover additional expenses.
n Private (independent) Schools: These schools need to be registered with the Department of Education after which an official Registration Certificate is issued. The school charges fees and can take legal action if fees are not paid on time. Admission of a learner can be refused if money is not paid.
Education is the backbone of every society.
Educated people with skills develop a country and prevent poverty and unemployment.
Confident, happy and disciplined youth will learn better at school.
Be ready in time.
Wynandus Bezuidenhout
Principal – Protea School
Our next column, in January will be: School has started: Important to know…
