Finishing School learners prepare for life after matric

By Masilo Malakwane

QwaQwa – As part of ensuring that students receive correct information and knowledge of higher education through the use of information brochures as a quasi-experimental study, more than 60 learners from Riverside Finishing school in Phuthaditjhaba have been given an opportunity to enrol at Tvet colleges in the 2022/2023 academic year.

According to the Acting Campus manager of Kwetlisong Tvet, Abraham Mosalla, the induction process sought to assist the newly students to gain a better understanding of their campus policies and level of knowledge regarding their courses of choice.

“It will also determine whether giving written information at the time when we visited their school made a significant difference in knowledge and understanding or not,” Mosalla said.

He said they have partnered with the basic education department to ensure that they cater for 40 students and later the school will provide others who have completed their subjects.

“The good thing is that the basic department will be the one funding their tuition fees until they finished their courses”.

While most of these learners repeated the subjects they failed at high school, they said they are now ready to conquer the world.

One of them, Kabelo Mofokeng (20), of Tsheseng village, was upgrading his Maths Litaracy, English and Life Science at the Finishing school. He told this publication that he always enjoyed working using his own hands and fixing things, hence he will be enrolling for a welding course.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for me as I’ve always wanted to be an artisan. We thank the department for this great opportunity. I will go into class with only one thing in mind – to perform to the best of my ability,” said an enthusiastic Mofokeng.

Another student, Phomolo Sefojane (23), said as a female student pursuing a career in technical skills, she aims to root out the perception that females are less interested in becoming artisans.

“I will be doing boiler making. It will equip me with skills to support the family business. Who knows, I might also branch out on my own,’ she said.