6 ways to help kids navigate subject selection in Grade 9

News24

15-05-2025

It's important to let kids choose subjects tailored to their strengths and interests.
Help them find a balanced combination and factor in job trends.
An education expert suggests attending university open days.
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A big decision is on the horizon for Grade 9 learners - their subject choices that they will stick by from Grade 10 to matric.
This choice is a key step in shaping their academic journey and future career possibilities. While it can be overwhelming, it's an opportunity to help your children set themselves up for success.
Making a decision on subjects that could determine the trajectory of the rest of your child's school career and their possible career journey can be quite daunting, especially for a child of only 14 or 15 years old.
As parents, it's so important to not only emphasise how this decision will impact your kids' school performance down the line but to also give them time and grace to do the research they need and explore subjects tailored to their interests.
Wonga Ntshinga, the ICT senior head of programme at The Independent Institute of Education - South Africa's largest and most accredited private higher education provider, says, 'The subjects you select for Grade 10 to 12 will influence your performance in the National Senior Certificate exams. These choices will also affect your eligibility for further studies and certain career paths.
'The transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 is significant because your subject combination lays the groundwork for your future academic and professional opportunities. By choosing wisely, you can position yourself for success in matric while maintaining flexibility for your post-school plans.'
Wonga helps us break down factors to help your child think about as they choose their subjects for the rest of their school career.
Key factors to consider when helping your child choose subjects
1. Play to their strengths and interests
Help them narrow down and pick subjects they enjoy and where they naturally perform well. This will keep them motivated, even when the workload increases.
If your child is great at problem-solving, subjects like accounting or information technology might suit them. Similarly, if they love storytelling, dramatic arts or English could be a good fit.
2. Keep your options open
At this stage, it's completely fair for Grade 9 students to not know what career they'd like to pursue yet. So, encourage them to choose subjects with broad applications, like mathematics, physical sciences or geography.
These develop valuable skills such as critical thinking and numeracy, which are useful across many university programmes and industries.
3. Understand career and study requirements
Even if they don't have a clear career goal, look at subject requirements for fields they might consider. For example, medicine requires mathematics, physical sciences and life sciences, while law often benefits from history and English.
4. Factor in emerging job trends
The world of work is evolving rapidly, especially in areas like technology, healthcare and sustainability. Subjects like mathematics, physical sciences or information technology can prepare them for careers in these growing industries.
Don't limit them to the traditional three to four year degrees, there are so many exciting, high-demand career paths out there that are directly aligned with industry needs. With new opportunities emerging all the time, it's worth exploring a wider range of education options. They might just find the perfect fit - something that didn't even exist a few years ago.
5. Find a balanced subject combination
You're going to want to encourage your kids to want a mix of challenge and opportunity for good performance. Pairing a tough subject like physical sciences with a more manageable one like business studies can keep options open while ensuring a strong matric result.
6. Choose between Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy wisely
Mathematics is essential for fields like engineering, science and commerce, while Mathematical Literacy is more suited to humanities or vocational paths. If they are unsure, mathematics gives them more flexibility in university admissions.
Wonga signs off with a few extra tips for learners.
'When making subject choices in Grade 9, it is helpful to start from where you want to be in four years' time and then reverse engineer how you might get there.'
'Consult teachers, career counsellors or student advisors at universities both public and private for tailored guidance. Teachers can assess your academic strengths, while counsellors and student advisors can explain how subjects connect to career paths.
'Also consider going to university open days. Although you don't yet have to decide what to study, you are almost certain to gain highly valuable insights into your options after school, as well as gaining helpful advice and insights from professionals on campus.'