Grade 12 learners are on the brink of adulthood, facing decisions about their future careers and lifestyles. The weight of these decisions and expectations from parents, teachers and society can be overwhelming.

Amid their stresses and worries, they can count on the support of mentors such as Prof Fazel Freeks, associate professor and coordinator of community engagement at the Faculty of Theology of the North-West University (NWU).

Prof Freeks is behind the “A Faculty Who Cares” initiative. He started it in 2020 to assist Grade 12 learners with study methods, while also offering motivation, inspiration and career guidance. He worked with the Promosa Secondary School and the Potchefstroom Secondary School.

“So many learners finish matric and are unsure about what career choices to make and end up choosing the wrong field of study, mainly because of pressure from their parents. This is an issue I feel very passionately about, and it is something I address by giving these learners motivational talks on career development and career choices.”

Issues such as substance abuse and violence are contributing factors that hinder the youth and their academic performance, and this initiative also aims to educate them about such matters.

Expanding the circle

Prof Freeks’s vision for this initiative is to collaborate with other faculties in the NWU and to introduce more schools to this initiative.

His passion for motivating and mentoring learners stems from a deeply held belief in the transformative power of guidance and encouragement. “Since starting this initiative, I have seen the differences and results, and I am exceptionally proud of what the learners have achieved.”

At the Promosa Secondary School, 82 learners wrote the matric exams in 2023 and 59 learners passed, representing a pass rate of 71,9%. At the Potchefstroom Secondary School, 84 learners wrote the exams, and the pass rate was 78,6%.

Prof Freeks expresses his gratitude towards the Faculty of Theology, the dedicated school principals, Mr Jacobus Claassen and Mrs Veyonny Rochelle Ferris, as well as the schools’ teachers for their leadership and collaboration.

“In a world where your impact may not always be immediately visible, please know that you are making a difference,” is his message to them.

Prof Freeks adds that their dedication shapes the future, one learner at a time. “You are truly the heart of our educational community.”

Prof Fazel Ebrihiam Freeks.

Grade 12 learners at Potchefstroom Secondary School receive their certificates of merit.

Grade 12 learners from Promosa Secondary School.