Durban - Parents who are unsure how to handle their child’s disappointment due to a failed matric exam must seek the help of an educational psychologist immediately, particularly if they fear the child is suicidal.
Also, parents must be concerned if a child stops talking, cuts himself or herself off from family and friends and seems seriously depressed after the news of the matric results.
Professor Kobus Maree of the University of Pretoria has urged parents to be vigilant at this time when school leavers get their results (the national senior certificate results will be published in The Mercury on Wednesday).
“Suicide in South Africa is on the increase, particularly those who do not succeed in the attempt. What we are seeing as a result are young people not only with broken minds, but broken bodies as well. One suicide is really one suicide too many,” he said.
Maree said parents must reassure their children and communicate openly.
“They must talk to their children. Let them know there is a support structure in place. That they are precious and loved. If parents are not sure how to handle the situation then they must get in touch with an educational psychologist straight away.”
He said too much emphasis was put on the matric results.
“Many people fail their matric exams but they go on to be huge successes in later life. This is a new year, a new horizon and this is just one exam. We have to give our young people hope.”
The Department of Social Development has made available its 24-hour toll-free line that usually offers trained social workers for victims of gender-based violence.
“For a limited period both before and after the release of the results we are open for parents and matriculants struggling to deal with the anxiety and tensions around these results,” said the department’s spokeswoman, Zinhle Langa.
The centre’s number is 080 042 8428. Callers can also request a social worker from the centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# from any cellphone.
Langa said when a phone call was received the geographic position of the person was immediately identified and the conversation was recorded.
“After the telephonic counselling, we will send a social worker to that person, wherever they are,” she said.
The MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Peggy Nkonyeni, has cautioned parents and students to make sure they enrol for tertiary study with registered institutions.
In a statement on Monday, she said as students jostled for limited space at universities and colleges “delinquents” were getting ready to take advantage of the unsuspecting.
“For years many students have found themselves paying hefty amounts of money to non-existing schools.”
Nkonyeni advised students to check on the Department of Higher Education and Training website whether or not an institution was authentic and “fully” registered with the SA Qualifications Authority.
“Also the registration certificate issued by the department must clearly show all the programmes each institution is accredited to offer,” she said.
To check registration of institutions of higher learning, students can visit www.dhet.gov.za, click on About Us and then click on Institutions where all those registered are listed. Alternatively, call 0800 873 2222.
The Mercury
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