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Traditional risk vs Modern safeguard

The year slowly comes to an end and with it the schools reach a close and many young individuals prepare themselves for that anxious wait as their papers are marked and the course of their lives finally decided as the education department works out the best way to release their marks.

A recent announcement from the Department of Basic Education has caused quite a stir as they prove to venture from the long standing tradition of the students finding their names in the newspaper. The spokesman’s reasoning for the change is understandable as he points out the unintended harm that the tradition has been the cause of in the past and one cannot blame him as the number of such cases is sadly more than one heart can take.

Surprisingly the change has garnered a mixed reaction. We see one principal arguing that there is nothing wrong with the tradition and that the department is being too ‘oversensitive’ about the issue.

But let us consider why the tradition began. Back in the day; when the technology that we are so used to being attached to these days, like cell phones, tablets, laptops etc. didn’t exist. Schools had limited options of how to release the student’s results. Thus the tradition was born.

However, to keep to that tradition in an age when we are practically drowning in the technology that more than enables schools to communicate with students and their families, are we doing more harm than good?

Looking at the students who were asked their opinion on the change, it is no surprise that there is a mixed response and the answer is simple. People are people, regardless of age. Those who do well would want the world to know and those who don’t are never comfortable sharing that knowledge or having it forced into public knowledge.

So then, for those who feel pressured by the very idea of their personal failures exposed for all to see, do we then modernise the system and save the many, or satisfy the others and keep to tradition and risk more lives lost?

The decision of the Department of Basic Education should no doubt take into consideration the voices of those affected, but at the same time those that speak should learn to listen at the other voices next to them as well, don’t you agree?

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/mixed-reaction-to-matric-results-plan-1.1787333#.VHcYhdKUdDA

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