Education is a primary priority for the students. The youth development office of the Alfred Duma Local Municipality works to ensure that students, especially those in lower grades, receive sufficient help and guidance in selecting the appropriate courses for their future employment.
Over the past few weeks, the Alfred Duma Local Municipality Youth Development Office team has been interacting with students from various schools, particularly those in rural areas. This was accomplished by offering career counselling sessions to grade 9 students at Phindokuhle High School, Mzimela Secondary School, Ntababusuku Junior School, Sicelokuhle High School, and Sahlumbe High School, respectively, in wards 15, 16, 32, and 37.
Attendance in these wards was excellent, with full classrooms filled with students eager to learn more about the subjects they would like to pursue in their careers. The ward councillors were also present at the activities, which was crucial for them as hosts and since the programmes were as important to their communities. Among those in attendance at the programmes were the SAPS, DSD, IEC, teachers, the youth development office, libraries sections, Cllr Ngubane from ward 32, Cllr Zikalala from ward 16, Cllr Mlaba from ward 17, Cllr Kubheka from ward 15, and Cllr Zungu from ward 37.
The career guidance was conducted under the theme; “Zikhethele ikusasa lakho” (chose your own future), learners were engaged on the below topics;
- Do a personal introspection for your career
- Identify your skill or talent according to your personality
- Have a vision and don’t rely on law of attraction
- Select your subjects wisely
- There are other options either than studying in a university, one can attend institutions that deal with skills training such as brick laying, plumbing, electricity and many others. Etc
- Stay away from drugs and substance abuse
- Respect your educators and parents and pave a progressive future for yourself
- Education is the key to success and a step towards achieving your desired lifestyle
Messages of support from the stakeholders:
- Learners were warned on the decisions they take as a teenagers as they have huge implications and impact their future.
- Learners were told that full detailed career documents, books and textbooks are available at the libraries for them to read
- Do not compete at school, focus on your education
- Dating in school is not for learners
Ward councillors as the representatives of the community, expresses their gratitude to the principals. Councillors were elected to work for the people through trust and integrity and dedication. Teachers and principals were thanked for allowing learners to be part of programs that aimed at enlightening their minds on choosing their future correctly.