The Sunday News
Charles Dube
PARENTS, do not choose courses for your children if you are to avoid embarrassing yourselves.
Learners pursue certain paths of study, not out of interest, but, at the behest of their parents or guardians.
There is a story doing the rounds that there was a learner who was forced by his father to do a certain degree at university.
All appeared well as the boy sweated it out and managed to complete the course.
The father was happy and like many other parents would do, threw a graduation party for the son. In the mid of pomp and fun, when the son was asked to give a speech, a surprise was in store for the lot.
The boy thanked his father for everything, but, presented the certificate to his father saying it was his and he should keep it.
He said he had done it for him and he was going back to university to start pursuing a degree of his choice. Imagine the embarrassment suffered by his father in front of the gathering.
This lesson is directed to all parents and guardians of like mind. Do not force learners to study subjects they are not keen on.
This is common now with the new curriculum offering a wide range of subjects.
There are tussles between learners, parents, guardians and teachers over what areas learners should fit in. In extreme cases where no compromise is struck learners change schools.
There are a lot of transfers with parents and guardians claiming schools are forcing them to pursue certain paths of study which is against what they like.
What most people forget when it comes to subject selection is that there is a criteria or process used.
It does not necessarily follow that because learner A is Learner B’s friend therefore they should do the same subjects. Previous performance is taken into account. Some learners do not work hard in the early stages of learning and expect to bulldoze their way into certain subjects.
For example, you cannot expect to study pure sciences when your previous performance shows that you are not going to manage.
Learners need to understand and fit into areas where they would be comfortable. Of course, some argue that they will learn as they move on, but it is not as easy as that.
There are particular concepts which need to be grasped by learners in the early stages, failure of which that particular learner will struggle forever in that subject. Be careful when it comes to subject choice, if you are not going to make blunders which will be very difficult to correct in future.
Remember the thrust of this column as we enjoy the holidays is to share information which might help both parents and learners with little or no pressure at all. I know there are many learners who face this problem of subject choices.
Parents or guardians are worried as well and they are trying to figure out what action to take. Whatever action is taken should not be detrimental to the learner’s future.
When faced with a problem, ask yourself, “What is one thing I can do now to improve the situation?” When you focus on just one thing you can do, you will not feel overwhelmed.
When you focus on what you can do now, you will be motivated to take action right away. When you focus on what you can do now to improve the situation, you will almost certainly be able to think of at least one productive action to take.
The following is a repeat, but, I feel learners should go over it for as long as it takes: Look for the good in every situation.
Celebrate the success of others. Your life as a learner may feel like a competition, but it is not. Celebrate the accomplishments and successes of your peers, and do not be a sore loser.
Spend time with people who have the same (similar) values and goals as you. All of us are influenced greatly by the people we surround ourselves with. Choose to surround yourself with people who will inspire you to become a better person and learner.
Before concluding today’s instalment, let us highlight more on the harmful norms.
These are harmful acts which we have come to legitimise by remaining silent on them and by so doing they go on and on as if they are legal.
Various organisations have sunk to the ground and found disturbing facts about the issue of unregistered schools starting from Grade Zero to secondary schools. On its part the Ministry of Primary and Secondary education has been heard in public media dissociating itself from these illegal schools which is commendable.
But the question is they continue to operate and are increasing in numbers, so what next?
That Zimbabweans are thirsty for education is a fact. Are these illegal schools fulfilling a need or it is just people doing it out of greed?
These human rights groups feel this scenario is violating children’s rights. Conditions in these schools are not conducive to learning. Some of these so called schools do not have the required furniture.
There are no desks and chairs.
The learners place exercise books on their laps when they write.
Some of the so called schools do not have playgrounds hence the development of learners is compromised because a child develops well through playing. The new curriculum states that physical education, sport, mass displays are examinable areas so how does this take place in a situation where such facilities dot exist?
Above all most of these schools are employing unqualified staff which compromises the learning process of the learner.
Having learners taught by unqualified teachers is a sensitive issue. Follow this space as more will be unravelled on these and other related issues.
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