Grade 12s should consider more than just subject matter for tertiary studies
Prospective students should choose education institutions that focus on holistic development
IT is that time of year again when Grade 12 students are preparing for the looming mid-year and final exams, but are also considering their tertiary education options.
While it is obvious that prospective university students will decide on the tertiary institution that best suits their study needs, students need to start scratching beneath the surface and decide on an academic institution that is also focused on the holistic development of students.
According to Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of the Independent Institute of Education, students need to evaluate how an institution incorporates ethics and sustainability, as well as citizenship into their curricula.
‘The world is changing and evolving, and across the globe there is a major movement towards demanding more than just technical proficiency in the workplace,’ she said.
‘This is why progressive institutions are increasingly paying attention not just to the theoretical aspects of curricula, but also on developing the young people in their care holistically so they are able to join society as well-rounded individuals who can make a contribution beyond what they bring in terms of subject expertise.’
Coughlan says employers and companies are often reluctant to employ recent graduates without a proven track record, because their focus during studies was exclusively on academics and scoring well on assessments and exams, rather than also developing holistic skill sets which allow them to operate effectively in the workplace through work-integrated learning.
She said when speaking with career guidance counsellors, students should interrogate the advisers on how much they understand about the working world challenges, and if they have considered likely challenges of the future, including rapid technological advancement.
‘It is not just about what people can do, but also about the values and so-called softer skills such as a commitment to lifelong learning and resilience.
‘The decision about what to study and where is one of the most important choices you will ever make, and you need to ensure that you are absolutely comfortable in the knowledge that what you will be learning over the next three to four years will provide you with more than technical knowledge.’
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