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atric provides young adults with a broad theoretical background and does not prepare them to perform specific tasks in the workplace . This is one of the reasons only about 25 % of school leavers are expected to find employment .

In South Africa and elsewhere there is a trend to only consider university studies . This is an option for matrics who received university exemption marks and who are informed about the course they want to apply for and where this course will take them in life . Others might miss the mark and become part of the estimated 40 % of students dropping out of university in their first year .

The Department of Higher Education released a report in 2015 highlighting that 47,9 % of university students did not complete their degrees . Black students had the highest dropout rate , with 32,1 % leaving in their first year .

Every year tertiary institutions battle with too many applicants and insufficient space .

The past few years have shown the ratio of young South Africans opting for university studies as opposed to those who decide on further education and training ( FET ) or are willing to consider an artisanship is distorted compared to international benchmarks . Yet these alternatives can lead to better results in terms of employment

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and income potential .

A university degree is not the be-all and en-all of further education . There is a huge shortage of artisans , like plumbers and boilermakers . Too many matriculants slight these careers in favour of a degree .

Universities of technology offer national diplomas in a wide variety of career options and have lower entrance requirements than academic tertiary institutions .

In addition there are 50 FET colleges with 264 campuses country-wide offering a range of programmes from engineering , business studies , art and music , and food services for students who did not qualify for university entrance .

FETs can help address the high levels of unemployment and provide a good alternative for university studies . Many employers also offer training via the Seta system .

Students need to be practical about their future . If you qualify for and can afford tertiary academic institutions , and know where your degree will take you , go for it . If not , pursue other options like those discussed above or consider part-time study . Whatever the choice or opportunity , for those prepared to work hard there is a future .

Trade union UASA wishes South Africa ’ s matriculants all the best for their future . You are also South Africa ’ s future and your welfare and success will impact on the country as a whole .

Jacaranda Academy – a 21st Century Digital School for Grade R-9

Digital School means implementing of ICT equipment and tools in the teaching and learning process as a pedagogy and methodology .

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he purpose of ICT in education is generally to familiarise students with the use and workings of concepts and related methods with the help of computers . Jacaranda offers a unique , proven and powerful 21st Century teaching methodology , a bedrock of digital learning in a classroom through interconnectedness , interactive integrative and blended learning solutions . This complete solution provides a new way of teaching by teachers and visual learning for learners . Benefits of 21st Century classrooms :

• Provides an opportunity for the learners to discover through “ learning by doing ”. Learners learn to deal with problems while doing mathematical and other activities , which lays down a base for more abstract thinking and reasoning .

• It gives more scope for individual participation . It encourages learners to become autonomous learners and allows a student to learn at his or her own pace .

• It widens the experiential base , and prepares the ground for later learning of new areas in mathematics , life and physical sciences .

• In various puzzles and games , the students learn the use of rules and constraints and have an opportunity to change these rules and constraints . It will encourage peer-to-peer learning among learners .

• Learners individually will get the time and opportunity to repeat an activity several times , Learners can revise and rethink the problem and solution . This helps to develop cognitive abilities .

For further information please visit : www . jacarandaedenglen . co . za Telephone : 011-609-6218 . 37 van Tonder Avenue , Edenglen , Edenvale DON ’ T MISS THE OPEN DAY ! Saturday , February 17 th , 9am-12pm

The Greenstone Guide February 2017 | Page 10

10 | Greenstone EDUCATION FEBRUARY 2018 Furthering your education