As the matric class of 2021 approaches their year-end examinations, it can only be hoped that they have done enough to do well on their journey to self-actualisation.
The matric examinations represent the culmination of the 12-year journey of schooling and can, to a large extent, determine the direction of the lives of the pupils. It is therefore very important that the pupils prepare themselves thoroughly for these exams so that the prospects for their futures can be illuminated. It should be understood that this journey does not begin at matric but when the children are enrolled at school for the first time in Grade 1 or Grade R.
For the successful completion of this journey, pupils have to display traits of determination, dedication and discipline. As schools function like a three-legged pot with individual legs representing the parent, teacher and the pupils themselves, it is crucial that these major stakeholders cooperate to ensure that the learning endeavours of the child are not jeopardised in the same way shakiness of any one leg of the pot can render it dysfunctional.
In other words, parents must lend unwavering support for their children’s education, whereas teachers must teach in the very best way they can and pupils for their part must reciprocate the efforts of both their parents and teachers by diligently focusing on their school work.
The other critical aspect in the preparation for the pupils’ educational journey is found in their post-matric plans. It is most disheartening to find many of these matric pupils having passed or failed, swelling the ranks of those neither in employment nor in education or training, the so-called NEET. This is as a result of not planning for this eventuality.
Failing to plan is tantamount to planning to fail. With unemployment rates at already unacceptably high levels, it is loathsome to have more of our youth joining these miserable ranks thus weakening the economic prospects of our country even further. Even more worrying, there are those pupils who pass well and advance to university only to drop out after the first year or towards the completion of their courses due to a failure to cope with their studies.
This failure is attributable to a lack of vocational guidance, which has as its purpose to help the pupils through the curriculum and the extra-curriculum to develop their basic skills and attitudes, which are important for successful work.
It is also not uncommon to have students go through their tertiary studies but end up joining the dreaded unemployment queue after graduating. This is a sad indictment on the efficacy of our education system. The importance of vocational guidance can never be over-emphasised and this subject must be accorded due recognition within the school curriculum.
There should be a dedicated period for the subject from Grade 7 where pupils are exposed to different careers. Professionals from different careers can be invited to give talks about their careers in an effort to motivate and guide the pupils. Such an initiative will help to bring the world of work alive in the classroom and ensure the subject is not trivialised as it has been over the years. It will also provide an unforgettable experience for the growing minds and channel their visions towards proper directions.
Through this experience, pupils will start getting informed about the relevant subjects to register in order to pursue their fancied careers. It is imperative that our pupils are acquainted with the different careers out there so that they can make informed choices when the time comes.
An education system that churns out unemployed graduates will not assist the development prospects of our country. Knowledge about different careers will equip pupils with information about the requirements, qualifications, interests, abilities, remuneration and future prospects for their chosen careers. Since knowledge is power, this will stand them in good stead and ensure that they avoid the pitfalls of making wrong career choices.
It happens at times that some students realise after two or more years that they chose careers not entirely suited to their personalities and abilities. The financial and personal costs of such blunders are hard to absorb and may put paid to these students’ dreams for the future.
Empowered with the knowledge about their chosen career fields, students will then be motivated to work hard and graduate with the full knowledge about how the future is likely to pan out. It is also advisable that students participate in voluntary on-the-job training so that can accumulate valuable experience that will enhance their employment possibilities.
It is totally unacceptable for graduates to be in limbo about careers they want to pursue and only want to work to survive. It should be remembered that work accounts for a third of our lives and no one wants to be trapped in a dead-end job for life.
Excellence at work also improves character and personality. When people are stuck in jobs where they derive no satisfaction, they are less likely to be happy and more likely to stagnate. On the other hand, job satisfaction leads to more happiness and increased productivity. As Aristotle noted, “pleasure in the job puts perfection to the work”.
Wishing the class of 2021 all the best and hoping that they have made the necessary preparations, which will facilitate their smooth transition into the world of work. Our country desperately needs our youth to succeed and play a meaningful role in its prosperity.
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