YOU know it’s a fun day when you see schoolkids dressing up in the clothes they would wear if they worked in their chosen professions.
The basic education curriculum features a career day where children get to experience the career path they want to follow after matric.
Every year Mzansi primary schools are asked to take part in a career day. It’s a day where pupils dress up as the professionals they want to be in the future.
Daphney Ncube is a teacher at Nkholi Primary School in Pimville, Soweto, that held its career day recently. But she said that it’s not only about dressing up.
“It’s about working hard to get where you want to be.”
She said pupils had to prepare for what they wanted to be and were marked on the task.
“The pupils need to spend time with the people in the profession they want to learn about and see how that work fits them.
“It is important that parents do not choose careers for their kids. Their kids will only feel the pressure you put on them to follow the career but will not be interested in it. They will not feel passionate about it.”
She said that every profession has its own benefits and problems. This is why the pupils learn all about the work and its ups and downs.
SunEducation asked a few pupils about their ideal careers.
Tshepang Gaolathle (13), who wants to be a chef, said: “I love food and I enjoy cooking. It’s wonderful to learn about new spices and try new recipes.”
She said she knows about the obesity problem in Mzansi so she wants to educate people on the right food to eat.
Katlego Kamela (12), is passionate about medicine. She gets heartsore when she sees sick children.
“I want to be a paediatrician so I can make kids feel better.”
Naledi Tau (13), who hopes to practise law, said: “I want to defend people on trial so they don’t get sent to prison unjustly.”
