Matric As An Adult – The Why’s & The How’s
Hundreds of thousands of South Africans over the age of 21 struggle to find meaningful work because they have not yet completed their Matric, and therefore have to compete for limited entry-level opportunities in our challenging job market, an education expert says.
“The good news is that there are several accessible options for adults of all ages to complete their schooling, while not having to physically return to actual school,” says Khanyisa Tlala, Student Relations Officer at Oxbridge Academy, a private college that serves more than 20 000 South African distance learning students every year.
“By finishing high school, you are able to fulfil the minimum requirement of Matric required by most employers. You are also able to then access opportunities for further education, which increases the prospects available to you,” she says.
The next few months provide the ideal opportunity for those considering completing their Matric, as the next adult senior certificate exam session will take place in June 2021.
“Instead of starting and ending 2021 in exactly the same position where you were in the past, you can use the coming months to study towards the upcoming Matric exams and ensure you position yourself better for our difficult job market,” says Tlala.
“In addition to making yourself more competitive in the job market, upskilling also provides a great boost to one’s self esteem, and provides momentum to harness future prospects.”
“Apart from improving job prospects, finishing Matric also increases one’s earning potential, because while there are indeed some positions that don’t require Matric, they generally are remunerated at a lower rate.”
“Many adults without a Matric find that after a few years in their current line of work, they just don’t love it anymore, if they ever did,” adds Tlala.
“They may find that their passions lie elsewhere, but they need additional education and training to launch their new career choice. As such, going back to school for your Matric can open the door to new career paths. Not having a Matric can also have a detrimental effect on someone’s self-confidence, but it is never too late to finish school. You can still go back and finish, and go on to have a fulfilling career. And the sooner you get started, the sooner you will be able to achieve this goal.”
Tlala says that in SA, there is a revised Senior Certificate that you can write if you are 21 years or older and have:
- a Grade 9 or Standard 7 report stating you passed the year, OR
- a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC), OR
- a recognised equivalent obtained at NQF level 1 which requires two official languages.
Candidates may also register if they have an incomplete Senior Certificate or if their School-Based Assessment (SBA) has expired.
“There are a number of institutions that offer options for finishing Matric, but it is essential that prospective students make absolutely sure an institution is respected, registered, and accredited, and that it offers excellent student support throughout,” concludes Tlala.
For further information visit: www.oxbridgeacademy.edu.za.