Failed MATRIC? Consider these next steps

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After a difficult and inconceivable year, matric results came out on the 23^rd of February. The pass rate decreased by 5.1% from 81.3% in 2019 to 76.2% in 2020. Considering that learners had to adjust to remote learning during a pandemic, this number is not too alarming.

So what options are available to the student who did not do well?

Firstly, breath – you are still worthy of love and support despite this setback. And luckily, there are ways to recover from it.

Introspect

Ask yourself why your results look this way. Examine the reasons for the failure and how you can change that. It could be because of personal impediments that were beyond your control such, as lack of resources or personal hardships that you dealt with during the year. Consider reaching out to peers, friends, and family for additional support.

Or maybe the problem lies in the subjects you chose? If you have been noticeably struggling with a subject and you have no interest in it – maybe it is time to change it.

Whatever the reason for your results; you need to acknowledge it and consider how best to solve it.

June Supplementary Exams 2021

The Department of Education allows students the opportunity to rewrite the National Senior Certificate exams in June. This option extends to subjects that students may have failed and those that they would like to improve on, on the condition that these subjects are those they were registered for in November 2020. The closing date to register for the NSC June Supplementary exams is 31 March 2021. More information is found on the Department of Basic Education website.

Repeat Matric

Redoing matric means a better opportunity at starting over on a clean slate and optimizing your chances of obtaining the best results on your Matric certificate. If you have anxieties about returning to the same school, you have the option of attending private colleges like Abbotts College and Damelin. These colleges offer the opportunity of either completing your Matric by attending classes every day or through correspondence.  

To help you maximise on this opportunity – you may consider applying for the Second Chance Programme. The Programme offers support to students by providing study resources such as Mind the Gap study guides and past question papers, educational TV shows like SABC1’s Geleza Nathi, face to face tuition and internet support.

The programme does not have an age-limit and is available to you even if you finished Matric years ago.

Technical Vocation Education and Training (TVET)

Students who did not pass matric can also receive education and training towards specific employment opportunities through TVETs. The Training is administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. TVET gives students the opportunity to receive a National Vocational Certificate on Levels 2, 3 and 4 – which are equivalent to grade 10, 11 and 12. 

Remember to make sure the TVET of your choice is registered!

Consider your strengths

A tough pill to swallow: school is not for everyone.

If you have continuously applied yourself to your schoolwork but still yield no better results – maybe it is time to reconsider your path. The idea that success can only be obtained through education is quite archaic. Consider maximizing on your passions and making a profit from them. It is never too early to have and to implement a business idea – and it sure doesn’t require a Matric certificate.

Conclusion

It is important to have an idea of what you want from your life. Once you have established what you would like to study or do after Matric, it becomes easier to navigate these alternative options. To choose one best suited for you – you must have an idea of the career path you would like to follow.

Lastly, breath, again. Everyone fails, we just fail differently – focus on your path.