VANDERBIJLPARK. – The world of work and further study is very competitive and we live in a fast-changing labour market, which has serious implications for someone whose subject choices were careless. School kids and their parents have to start planning from an early age – actually even from pre-school age, says well-known Vanderbijlpark psychologist CP de Jager.
During a learner’s school career a number of choices have to be made. From pre-school age parents have to decide on a primary school.
In Grade 7 it has to be decided which high school is available for the high school experience; in other words, are we looking at the usual academic high school or at a technical high school?
In Grade 9, learners have to make the necessary subject choices that apply to the last phases of high school – Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Then in Grade 12, learners must decide in which direction they want to study further, or in which direction they wish to pursue a career.
“When subject choices are made in Grade 9, one should be choosing the subject one will stick with to the end of matric. Although these choices are specifically aimed at further career choices, most 15-year-olds have no idea what they want to study in terms of what subjects they choose earlier,” says De Jager.
“However, my position is that in Grade 9, a subject choice is made – but is not yet focused on further studies or on careers. It is really important to structure subject choices properly so that learners who opt to study further have a solid basis from which to make sensible choices toward higher education and/or training.
“It is also not unusual for learners who aren’t yet sure of a career choice to choose subjects favoured by parents or friends at school. However, choosing subjects should be done with careful consideration,” he says.
Choosing the wrong subjects can later result in great disappointment when they turn out to be incompatible with your choice of career. It is important that parents and learners choose correct subjects as advised through assessment by properly qualified persons.
Unfortunately it sometimes happens that tests are conducted at schools by unqualified persons who take the opportunity to sell specific student-courses to parents and learners. In the end, some of these courses, unfortunately, leave you with a qualification but don’t really secure you a job in the workplace.
The psychometrist who must be correctly trained and the orientation psychologist should have a solid background in interpretation so that correct consultative procedures can be followed.
When choosing subjects to pursue a specific career it is important to look at a child’s interests, aptitude as well as at behavioural indicators. The choice of subjects must be structured in such a way that various avenues of endeavour are opened when one wishes to go forward with tertiary education.
The Emfuleni Orientation Centre in Vanderbijlpark has a very consummate battery of methods that can be implemented to accurately and sensibly assess learners so that – through a feedback consultation with parents and learners – both can take to the road ahead with confidence.
For more information about the available tests, contact the centre on (016) 950 8118.
