Thari brings career guidance and psychosocial learner support in times of COVID-19

Every year, a large number of matriculants from disadvantaged communities leave school with little, to no information about how to pursue their studies at institutions of higher learning. There is also little understanding about other available opportunities due to lack of career guidance at schools.

It is because of statistics like these that the Thari Programme, a project of Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, launched its annual career expo in 2017, directly and positively impacting eight Diepsloot high schools ever since. The expo’s objectives are to address some of these issues by creating a framework that allows young people to lift themselves out of poverty and become independent and empowered – and this year was no different.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety restrictions in place this year, a Brown Centre Chalkboard study says, depending on their grade, learners have lost almost a full term of school in 2020. Further, it seems that many will attend only half the school days in the second half of the year due to rotation and social distancing measures.  International research shows that such learning losses could have lasting implications, even stretching into the labour market.

“This programme plays an important role in igniting and supporting learner interests, identifying strengths and weaknesses; redirecting students at risk of poor outcomes, discouraging school drop-outs and helping learners make informed decisions about their subject choices and pathways,” said Bernice Maponyane, Programmes Manager for the Adopt-a-School Foundation.

For many learners, the pandemic effects on the school year has caused confusion and anxiety and, at this year’s expo, Diepsloot Combined matric learners were equipped to soldier on through the COVID-19 pandemic storm.

“We are here to ensure the matric class of 2020 can rise despite the disruptions we have had during this academic year. With programmes like Thari by our side, we are committed to ensuring they emerge victorious,” said Mr Maringa, Principal of Diepsloot Combined. 

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