‘Twenty-four-year-olds are too old for matric’ and mustn’t be ‘schooled to death’

Academics have supported a suggestion that “over-aged” matrics should complete their schooling at community colleges and adult learning centres.

This follows comments made in parliament last month by Themba Mola, the COO of Kagiso Trust, about such pupils in Limpopo.

“Believe it or not, there are 24-year-olds who are still in school doing matric ... We understand they cannot be thrown away, but we think there must be a different dispensation, maybe the community colleges, that must be introduced in Limpopo to deal with this particular issue,” Mola told parliament.

In a circular dated May 12, the head of department for education in Limpopo, Onica Dederen, said: “Please note that learners who failed grade 12 are allowed to repeat twice ie they can do matric three times.”

Mola said the department could consider enrolling those above the age of 22 in adult institutions.

“Not all learners are academically inclined and therefore the introduction of a three-stream model, which refers to the academic, technical vocational and technical occupational pathways, will go a long way to address this issue.”

He said there were over-age pupils across all the phases in Limpopo, not just grade 12.

In the Eastern Cape, the estimated cost of 204,086 pupils across all grades who were repeaters in 2020 was R4.2bn.

More importantly, the age difference between these learners and others will continue to challenge issues of bullying, social ills like drugs and gangsterism, and gender-based violence.

—  Prof Labby Ramrathan, UKZN

Prof Loyiso Jita, dean of the education faculty at the University of the Free State (UFS), said other avenues should be explored for those who failed matric because pupils who go back to the same class face a lot of “labelling and stigma for not being smart”.

“That is not always good for their well being. Secondly, repeating the same content in the same way may not prepare them well for the future. A different approach, even with some enrichment, might benefit them more.”

He said it was “a waste of money” to allow pupils three opportunities to pass matric.

“It is not about providing alternatives, but hammering on the same spot, which is a waste of taxpayers’ money and the kids’ time. They could be better skilled in other ways to prepare them for life outside school instead of schooling them to death, so to speak”

Prof Labby Ramrathan, from the education faculty at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), said there are established centres through which these pupils can write matric.

“More importantly, the age difference between these learners and others will continue to challenge issues of bullying, social ills like drugs and gangsterism, and gender-based violence.”

He also believed that giving matrics three chances to pass was a waste of taxpayers’ money, “especially in the context of competing demands on basic education”.

Prof Maryna Reyneke, deputy dean of teaching and learning at North-West University (NWU), said: “What message are we sending if we allow grade 12 learners three opportunities? Teachers and learners can take it easy as there will be ample opportunity to pass?”

Prof Chika Sehoole, dean of the education faculty at the University of Pretoria (UP), said technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges could also be explored as an option “for these young people to be skilled”.

“Three opportunities [to pass] are too many. Two opportunities should be the maximum, as these take the place of other capable pupils who could benefit.”

Limpopo education department spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said after repeating matric and still failing, a pupil could consider a remark, writing supplementary exams or repeating part-time at adult learning centres.

Western Cape education department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said they encouraged pupils to complete matric in the year they enrolled.

“Principals do consider special circumstances of learners when they are accepted to repeat their grade 12 year. However, most learners apply as part-time candidates.”

Geoffrey van der Merwe, spokesperson for the Northern Cape education department, said the South African Schools’ Act dictates that a pupil can return full-time if he or she is age-appropriate (no more than two years older than the age cohort) and if space and resources allow.

“Alternatives for over-age learners are TVET colleges and the department of basic education’s second-chance matric programme.”

KwaZulu-Natal education department spokesperson Sihle Mlotshwa said a grade 12 pupil can only repeat if the school has space.

“In most instances schools don’t have space as they prepare for the incoming cohort of learners. The school principal will make a decision on readmission to grade 12 after assessing the situation, focusing on the availability of space.”