THOUSANDS of South African matric pupils are currently waiting for their final National Senior Certificate exam results.
With the possibility of starting a new life after high school, some have hopes of perusing their dream careers through studying in their chosen universities. Others simply have no idea what lies ahead.
Students struggling with university admissions, gaining acceptance for preferred courses, or who're unsure of their future may consider taking a break after the long 13-year schooling system.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Kamogelo Masenye (20) who completed matric in 2023, is excited about going to university but isn't ignorant of the factors which force one to take a gap year.
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"I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and for a chance to pursue my dreams. But it's no secret that issues such as funding can somehow influence one into taking a gap year. You need to consider things like registration, groceries and toiletries which are expensive so one might consider taking a gap year to raise the money needed to study.
"Another factor is being uncertain of the career path you'd like to take. This can cause someone to take a gap year because not knowing the career path you'd like to take, means you won't know which university to apply to," she said.
Kamogelo recently rewrote her matric after she was dissatisfied with her previous marks.
She told Daily Sun she knew her capabilities and that her marks didn't align with what she wanted for herself. She then decided to work towards fixing them and perusing her passion.
However this wasn't the same reality for Siphokuhle Rampedi (22), who instead of upgrading her marks decided to take a gap year.
"I was disappointed when I saw my marks back then, more especially because I wanted to do medicine. I guess it's because everyone at home is in the medical field. Helping people is in our blood. But when I saw my marks I knew that wasn't going to happen so I decided to take a gap year.
"Did I regret it? At first, yes, simply because all my peers went to varsity. But I wasn't going to risk studying something I wasn't passionate about. So I waited, processed my marks and started researching career paths within the medical space. That's when I realised I don't have to be a doctor or a nurse to help people. That's how I found Psychology.
"From then on I went back and rewrote my matric, and was accepted in a university," she said.
In December 2023 GroundUp reported that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) told parliament that due to budget cuts by National Treasury, more than 87 000 university students would lose their funding.
This means hundreds of students might face a bleak year with anxiety over their future. This is even worse for students living below the poverty line with no direction to their studies.
While a gap year offers school leavers the opportunity to acquire practical skills, it's important to weigh the potential downside.
One significant disadvantage is the risk of losing academic momentum and falling out of the habit of structured learning. The competitive nature of certain job markets may pose a challenge for those who delay their studies.
Head of Marketing and Student Recruitment at STADIO Atelisha Harilal shares the above sentiment.
“While a gap year may seem tempting, it often lacks the structured foundation that a higher certificate or short course programme provides. It's not just about taking time off; it's about investing that time in a purposeful way.
“We believe in empowering students with the tools and insights they need to make informed decisions about their futures,” said Harilal.
Harilal emphasised that the role of a higher certificate or a short course is to offer practical insights into the professional world.
“The diverse range of higher certificate programmes span across various fields including law, teacher education, technology, fashion, and design. Once completed, these flexible programmes even allow students to gain access into other programmes such as degrees, even if they initially didn’t have the minimum entry requirements.
"The programmes are designed not only for academic rigour but are closely aligned with industry needs. They serve as a valuable bridge between academic theory and the realities of today’s workplace," she said.
