Dear Parents – Your Role Has Never Been More Important
As your child nears the end of Grade 9, a major decision lies ahead—selecting their subjects for Grade 10 and beyond. At first glance, it may seem like a straightforward task, but these choices shape not only the remainder of their school career, but also their options after matric.
It’s important to understand: subject changes are not taken lightly. They are only allowed after Term 1 or at the end of the academic year—and even then, only if there has been genuine effort and a sound academic reason. Switching halfway through the year because “it’s too hard” or “I don’t like it anymore” is not an option.
This is why careful planning is critical. As a parent, your support is key—but so is honesty and realism.
We all dream of a doctor or a lawyer in the family, but is that dream rooted in your child’s strengths and interests? If your child is struggling to meet the requirements for a subject like Mathematics or Physical Sciences in Grade 9, choosing them anyway could set them up for disappointment. Remember, Physical Sciences can only be taken alongside Mathematics—and only if your child is achieving at least 65% in Grade 9 Maths. That’s not a rule to exclude them—it’s to protect them from unnecessary pressure and poor results down the line.
Every learner must take four compulsory subjects: English Home Language, Afrikaans First Additional Language, Life Orientation, and either Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy (you can’t take both). Mathematical Literacy is not a downgrade—it simply follows a different, more practical path, and it’s a far better choice for learners who don’t intend to follow careers that rely heavily on pure Maths. We will delve in a bit more into the difference in a later article.
Then come the three elective subjects. These should reflect your child’s interests, aptitudes, and future goals—not the preferences of friends, relatives, or past generations. Here’s a helpful guide:
- If your child enjoys numbers, logic, and structure, Accounting and Business Studies could pave the way to a BCom degree and careers in finance, HR, or entrepreneurship.
- For those with a strong science streak, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences are ideal for health and medical careers, but be warned—Physical Sciences demands high levels of logic, commitment, and mathematical skill.
- Learners interested in health and sport may find Sport and Exercise Sciences a great fit. It must be taken alongside either Life Sciences or Physical Sciences, and learners must actively participate in at least two school sports. This subject leads well into fields like physiotherapy, exercise science, and coaching.
For tech-savvy learners, Computer Applications Technology (CAT) teaches vital skills in Microsoft Office, internet use, and basic HTML. Information Technology (IT), on the other hand, focuses on programming and software development (using DELPHI) and is suited to learners who excel in both Maths and Science. Importantly, students may only choose one of these two.
If your child has a creative flair, Visual Arts or Design might be perfect—just not both. Both subjects require strong basic drawing skills, time outside of school hours, and a lot of dedication. Hospitality Studies is a hands-on subject for learners interested in food and event services, while Consumer Studies focuses more on home economics and entrepreneurship. Note: Hospitality Studies and Consumer Studies also cannot be taken together.
Some of these subjects include a practical component—and that comes with both time and financial commitments. Subjects like CAT,IT, Design, Visual Art, Hospitality Studies, and Consumer Studies have limited space and require annual fees ranging from R2200 to R5500. In most cases, practical work is done during weekends or after school, and learners who fail to meet deadlines may risk failing the subject.
For learners interested in people, places, and global awareness, Geography, History, Tourism, and Religion Studies offer fascinating pathways into careers like urban planning, law, international relations, and education. These subjects build critical thinking, cultural awareness, and analytical skills.
It’s also possible to take more than seven subjects—but this is only an option for learners with an overall average of 65% or higher, and a minimum of 70% in the extra subject. Extra subjects must be academic (no practicals), and must begin in Grade 10—not added later. Learners are expected to self-study, complete all tasks independently, and write all exams.
As parents, it’s natural to want the best for our children—and sometimes that means encouraging them toward the paths we admire or even the ones they dream of themselves. But ambition needs to be paired with ability. Even if becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer is your child’s dream too, it’s important to ask: is this a realistic path based on their current strengths and results? The goal isn’t just to chase a title—it’s to help your child choose a path where they can truly thrive, not just survive.
The best subject choices are those that reflect interest, ability, and realistic ambition. Encourage your child to explore what excites them, think about future possibilities, and commit to subjects that will challenge them in ways they can manage. At Roosevelt, we’re here to guide, support, and advice. But in the end, the responsibility for these choices lies with the learner and their family.
So sit down together, ask the difficult questions, and plan for success—not perfection.
