LETTER: Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
While the matric class of 2023 awaits their final results, resident and regular columnist for the News gives a message of encouragement and hope to those who might have failed.
• Thabile Mange writes:
I want to congratulate the Class of 2023 for finishing their 12-year journey of schooling. Twelve years is a long time. However, schooling is not just about reading and writing tests and exams. It also teaches life skills, which prepare learners for life after school.
According to research, many learners, especially blacks, don’t reach matric or grade 12. They fall away along the journey of their schooling. And this tends to condemn them to a life of poverty and misery. I wish the government could find a retention strategy for learners to complete their grade 12.
In South Africa, the quality of education is poor. This is a legacy problem. In the past, the apartheid regime implemented the system of Bantu Education against blacks. The education system did not prepare blacks for leadership and management positions. Instead, it prepared them to serve others.
Interestingly, the same Bantu education has produced quality leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Reginald Tambo, Robert Sobukwe, Steve Bantu Biko, Barney Pityana, Mosibudi Mangena, and Frank Chikane and the list is endless. In business, it has produced the likes of Dr Sam Motsuenyane, the co-founder of African Bank and the late Dr Thato Motlana.
I am mentioning the above to show today’s learners that our education system is bad but it’s no excuse for not pursuing their dreams. Out of this very education, we have had reserve bank governors, vice-chancellors, national soccer coaches, and so on.
That said, the Class of 2023 is patiently waiting for their results, which will be released in January. The Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, will wake up from her slumber and celebrate top students. The celebration will be aired on television. This is an annual event.
On the other hand, many learners will know their results through mediums such as newspapers and SMS. Some of those who have passed are likely to go to higher learning institutions and further their studies. Unfortunately, many won’t see the door of a university because they have no money to pay for their fees.
Financial exclusion remains a major challenge for those who want to pursue their studies at universities but don’t have funds to pay fees. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is there to help poor but deserving students who don’t have money to pay for fees. However, not all students will receive funding from NSFAS. It is what it is.
In addition, many learners are reluctant to go to FET colleges. There are contributory factors. One factor is that the FET standards have dropped. The other reason is that many learners don’t know the value of FET colleges, especially the technical part. Learners should reconsider. The country needs more artisans.
Some universities offer online degrees for free. Those who don’t have money should consider doing those degrees. E-learning is the future. If they don’t have internet access, they can use libraries that have free internet. It’s better than sitting at home doing nothing.
Lastly, there will be those who have failed matric. The truth is that most successful people have failed many times in their lives but never gave up. Matric is not the end but the beginning of lifelong learning. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
