Getting to the Starting Line: Investing in South Africa
Psychologist, Angela Duckworth, has studied what makes successful people, successful. She discovered that the hallmark of high achievers is this quality she calls grit—the combination of passion and perseverance for a singularly important goal. At Boston, we have witnessed students who have grit, who despite the odds stacked against them, have somehow managed to push through and graduate. We have also observed students who have all the ingredients for success.The passion is there.The will to achieve is there.But for one seemingly insurmountable obstacle—finances—these students will not see the finish line.
It has too often been the case that students will either exclude themselves from pursuing a higher education qualification or will drop out mid-stream because of a lack of financial support. At Boston, we feel that education is too important for the lack of finances to be the reason for not pursuing a higher education qualification. We believe that gritty prospective students who are already showing their commitment to making a go at life by taking the first steps to apply at Boston, deserve an investment in their future.
And, so, in the spirit of Ubuntu—a person is a person through other people—Boston is committing itself to make an investment in the future of South Africa by partnering, financially, with prospective students. This investment will mean that prospective students enrolling in one of the many Higher Certificates on offer at Boston will get a chance to pursue their dreams and take ownership of their futures. The investment in YOU is a shared investmentin YOUR future. Boston will invest up to a third of the fees for a Higher Certificate and students will be required to contribute the remaining fees (with flexible payment options).
South Africa’s future is too important not to make this investment. The rewards for students and society are incalculable. Overcoming the obstacle that the lack of finances often poses for students pursuing higher education, so the research has shown, makes a significant impact on the psycho-social well-being of students and this has a positive effect on the successful completion of one’s studies. In turn, the impact on the broader society is also noticeable. Graduates who find employment not only make a contribution to the economy, they become billboards for the transformative power of education.
Grit is important. It is what will get you over the finish line. But, sometimes you need someone to get you to the start line. At Boston, we believe that our investment in students with an NSC (Higher Certificate endorsement) applying for any of ourHigher Certificates will get students to the starting line where we know they will show their grit and reach their dreams and make an impact on South Africa.
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On completion of a Higher Certificate, graduates may seek entry for admission to an Advanced Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor’s degree.
FACTOID: Why are Higher Certificates (NQF Level 5, 120 credits) important qualifications?
In 2017, 86 364 candidates obtained the National Senior Certificate (NSC) with endorsement for Higher Certificate entry only, excluding these students from entry to Degree or Diploma studies. The Higher Certificate is an entry-level higher education qualification that is primarily vocational, with strong industry-oriented focus to provide students with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for further higher education studies and/or entry into the world-of-work.
