Matric Results Are Out!

Today the matric results are released, and the agonizing wait is over for South African matric pupils.

 

According to the Education MEC, 78% passed, 22% failed. What that equates to in actual numbers, I can't tell.

 

Well Done! to all those that passed - but remember, the hard work only starts now! In my opinion, school only teaches you how to learn. It is supposed to arm you with the memory, reasoning, and researching skills you will need throughout your future academic and career life. For instance, in my chosen career, I have never had to use trigonometry, simultaneous equations, or chemistry. However, I have had to use the logic and reasoning skills that those subjects taught me. I wish you all good luck with the rest of your life. May you excel in it and enjoy it!

 

Special congratulations to Jacobus Jordaan from Hoërskool Roodepoort who achieved top spot in Gauteng with 10 distinctions. The secrets to his outstanding performance?

• Believe in your abilities.
• Aim high and work hard.
• Persevere.
• Don't rely on the teachers - use them for guidence. Rely on yourself.
• Don't get distracted.

Other special congratulations go to those that excelled in their exams dispite difficult and sometimes traumatic circumstances:

• Yusef Talia, who suffers from Duchene muscular dystrophy, obtained 4 distinctions.
• Kresha Prinsloo, who's mom died just before exams started, passed with exemption.
• Rethabile Latakgomo, who's father died as a victim of crime, passed with exemption and a distinction.

These are just some of the students that made headlines. There are probably hundereds, perhaps thousands, of other students who suffered equally trying circumstances, and who managed to rise above their circumstances and pass matric. To all of these pupils, we are proud of you!

 

Anyway, all these results, though good, are summed up by something that Prof. Mary Metcalfe (Wits Dean of Education) said: "... improvement in quality is built systematically over time and is rooted in quality primary and junior secondary education. We must concentrate our energies on building quality all the way through the system, rather than just focusing on matric." (italics ours).

 

One of the ways that we at School Report Services strive to do this, is to keep parents regularly informed of their children's academic progress by means of a simple cell phone sms. We do this for ALL school grades - not just matric. By doing this parents can identify weak and strong areas, and encourage their children more proactively. It is this encouragement that we feel keeps the child motivated throughout his or her school career. Why not check out www.SchoolReportServices.com to see what we offer in this space.