DURBAN - AS MATRIC pupils await the release of their results in a few weeks’ time, an educational psychologist has said those who do not achieve the marks they hoped for should not be discouraged.
Concern was raised about the results of the matric class of 2021, who had both their Grade 11 and Grade 12 years affected by the Covid19 pandemic and had to contend with load shedding during the exams.
Professor Ramodungoane Tabane, chair of the Department of Psychology of Education at Unisa, said the outcomes of the matric exams would be the result of the amount of effort invested by the candidates into their studies but that it was not the end of the world.
Tabane said pupils were going to experience a roller-coaster of emotions.
“It is indeed an exciting time for our Grade 12 pupils. Exciting in the sense that they do not know how they have performed. It is also an anxietyprovoking period, more so for those who don’t have confidence in their performance. They should get themselves mentally ready for the positive or the negative,” he said.
He added that if the results were not favourable, the candidates would have to look at their options, such as improvements for a particular mark/ subject, a total repeat of the year, or enrolling at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college instead of going to a university.
He added that pupils should not limit themselves in the pursuit of higher education.
“If you have performed in a manner that could not get you a university entry but you got a diploma pass, you should check whether you can go to a university and do a Higher Certificate course, which is a bridging course and will help you to qualify (to enrol) for a university degree. It is very important for you to equip yourselves so you can have all the knowledge in your hands and know that failure is not the end of your life. It is a matter of how you redirect and refocus your attention,” emphasised Tabane.
Tabane said pupils were bound to encounter a culture shock when they transitioned into higher education and it was therefore key for them to keep an appropriate body of support.
“This support can be through university psychological counselling centres, where they have experts like educational psychologists to assist with the emotional trauma that might come with the culture shock as a result of the transition. Universities have different social clubs that can also offer comfort, where they will learn to socialise with their academic peers,” he said.
He urged parents to give their children a lot of support and reassurance during this period.
“Parents should know that the deed is done and there is no use crying over spilt milk. This is an activity that has come and passed and now they need to look into a new activity going forward. Talking negatively and reminding the child of how many times you have reminded them to study and how many parties they have attended does not help, it worsens the situation and could lead them into depression,” concluded Tabane.
Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga has confirmed that the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, is expected to announce the results of the exams on January 20, while provinces will release the results on January 21.
The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) will release their National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam results on January 19.
THE MERCURY