Bad matric results not just teachers' fault 2010-02-04
AS a 22-year-old I do not agree with the statement that poor matric results are the fault of the teachers.
I matriculated in 2004 and most of the same teachers are still in our schools. They are still as dedicated and hard working as they were in the past.
Although the Department of Education has played its part in the decrease in the quality of education, that is only a small part of the problem.
I think that parents are blinded by love and cannot see that the problem is right in front of them.
Why can’t they just sit down, look around and see that their own children do not listen to them, theiy don’t go to school because the whole house is messed up.
Your child solves all his problems with violence and foul language and never brings home any homework. There are 15-year-old girls with children.
The teenagers of today have got no respect for themselves or other people, therefore they get easily influenced by their peers who do the wrong things.
I know what I am talking about. The reason why I got back on track was because of the best matric economics teacher in the world, even though at that time I thought she was a fun spoiler.
She would check homework every day, ensure that assignments were done and that you were always able to identify what she was talking about.
She would pinch you under the arm and knowing you were wrong, you would take the punishment and ensure that you were not embarrassed again.
That worked for me and today I have a National Diploma in Internal Audit and am currently working at a decent company. She inspired me to do better!
But today the teachers can’t even touch the kid or you will hear the student threatening to go to court.
So, this is what I would recommend if you are really serious about your child’s education: Get involved as a parent!
* If he hardly ever does homework, go through his bag and check what is the last date he wrote in the book.
* If you work near school, pop in now and then to see one of his teachers and chat with them - don’t just wait for meetings.
* Try to get a bit involved in his social life, meet his friends and don’t look through them if they are decent.
* Talk to your kid about what he wants to be and not just in Grade 12, start from Grade 10. Do research together about the courses so that he can realise the amount of money and dedication needed to reach his goal.
Parents, you are the hand over the future of South Africa. If your hand closes the future may not be that bright, but if you open it, I can see the window of opportunity opening.
