Avoid risky selections in face of changed requirements
In coming months, grade nines will choose which subjects to pursue during their final school years, on which they will be tested when they sit for their final Matric exams.
While the Department of Basic Education recently withdrew the “designated subject” list (the list of subjects from which students who want to pursue a degree after school have had to select their subjects) there are some serious considerations that should not be ignored.
“Some may argue that the withdrawal of the designed subject list gives young people more choices, but we urge schools and learners not to make risky and uninformed changes,” said Dr Felicity Coughlan, from The Independent Institute of Education.
She said the original list contained many of the traditional subjects used to gain access to university, and that learners need to master these skills when seeking entry into a public university or private higher education institution.
“These skills include argumentation and reasoning, found in subjects such as history and maths, and evidence and scientific reasoning skills, from physical science and life sciences.
“Additionally, the two-language requirement also ensured a well-rounded educational experience for students living in a multilingual country. The reasoning behind the original inclusion of these subjects should be remembered, and students are encouraged not to put together a collection of subjects that are all of one type which will result in them developing less holistic academic skills,” said Coughlan.
In addition, learners considering their subject choices should remember that despite the change of requirements at school, universities are not at the same time required to change their admission requirements.
Some subjects, such as design, were omitted from the original list but have been accepted by some institutions for several years now as part of conditional admission requirements for certain qualifications.
“Design thinking is a strong and necessary skill for modern living and it is likely that it will become more and more acceptable for admission to higher education.”
“In light of these changes in subject choice requirements, and given the risk of learners opting for perceived easier subjects or subjects that are too similar in nature, learners are urged to investigate their options carefully, and schools to support them in making informed decisions,” she said.
In today’s volatile and uncertain world, it is more important than ever before to cultivate an extended base of skills from which you can draw, to improve your chances of succeeding.
