Students of distinction – Prepared for what comes next

In the hyper competitive world that we are raising our children in, performance is imperative.

Every year when the matric results are released, we are astonished at the sheer volume of distinctions that students in our schools are producing. We reflect, almost nostalgically, on the times when 3 distinctions were seen as a phenomenon. This is not because matric is easier (like adults argue) or that children are cleverer (like students argue), rather it is because they simply have to work harder and they are better prepared by their schools.

Local universities have received 30 times more applications than available spaces that they have to offer in 2025. ⁽¹⁾ It is increasingly challenging to be admitted to prestigious degrees, like medicine, both locally and abroad, and therefore students face increasing pressure to gain entry into their degrees of choice. This is why they have to work harder.

Whilst the pressure can be overwhelming, often causing stress and anxiety, perhaps it is not all bad. The required work ethic and diligence engendered by the process, create students who are able to thrive in the tertiary and work environments. It creates adults who are aspirational and hungry for success which are skills and character traits with tremendous benefits in the world of work. Whether we like it or not, the world is a competitive place, and hard work and the drive to succeed are indispensable. Tim Notke, a high school basketball coach, is credited with saying, “Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard”. Matric helps cultivate this mindset.

Pressure itself is not a bad thing. Pressure in one’s adult life is inevitable. Pressure at university and in work are inevitable. Studies show that whilst chronic stress may be related to health issues, acute stress may have positive neurological effects and may actually enhance learning and performance and effectiveness. ^2,3

This is the paradox. While there may be several negative effects from the pressure of matric, they could be outweighed by a number of important benefits.

Creating a culture of hard work and resilience and creating a culture of performance not only benefits the top performing students. It benefits all students. It is natural to focus on the students achieving the most distinctions and getting the accolades, however our schools are filled with unsung heroes. Students who often do not receive the same amount of publicity or recognition as their peers. Students who have academic or social emotional barriers to learning, students that find school hard, students that struggle with the formality and structured nature of mainstream schooling, all of whom persevere, work hard, develop grit and come out passing matric. These students may not always get the distinctions, but they are undeniably beneficiaries of the process of matric.

The value of hard work is the greatest asset any child could learn.

School accolades are forgotten with time, but habits of hard work and perseverance can last a lifetime. So, while for many, the pressure of matric is seen as unnecessary, perhaps it is this very reality that helps ALL students go on to achieve future success. After a 12-year journey through school and a gruelling matric year, they really are all students of distinction.