What can you do with Grade 9 in South Africa?
You have two options. Your first option is studying, and your second option is working.
What qualification can you study after Grade 9?
While universities require a bachelor’s pass at the matric level, TVET colleges accept students who’ve passed Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12. Some colleges offer up to 300 different courses. These include the National Certificate (Vocational), NATED / Report 191, NQF Full Time, and Learnerships.
This means learners with a formal grade 9 certificate can choose to complete their matric through a traditional academic or technical school or enrol in a TVET college to learn a technical skill or get occupational workplace-based learning.
Can I complete my matric if I drop out of school after grade 9?
Yes, you can do your Matric with a Grade 9 certificate. Grade 9 is one of the entry requirements for Matric College. However, you must be 21 or older for the Adult Matric Programme. You can apply at 19 but must be 21 when writing the adult exams.
Suppose you do not already possess a grade 9 certificate. In that case, many organisations offering adult matric will require you to take ABET classes to write the grade 9 exams before studying further. The matric exams typically include material from grades 10 to 12. That is why leaving yourself enough time to study 3 years of work is essential before writing the matric exam.
Amended Senior Certificate (ASC)
The Senior Certificate (as amended) now also allows candidates to obtain University endorsement. As in the case of the NSC exam, they can also qualify for admission to Bachelor, Diploma, or higher certificate programmes at higher education institutions.
Adult learners who are 21 years and older who have:
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- a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC); or
- a Grade 9 school report (or the old standard seven). They stated they had passed Grade 9 or Standard 7 or
- a recognised equivalent qualification obtained at the NQF Level, which required two official languages.
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- Adult learners who are 21 years and older with an incomplete Senior Certificate qualification.
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- Adult learners who are 21 years and older with an incomplete National Senior Certificate and whose School-Based Assessment (SBA) validity has expired.
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- Out-of-school youth, who are 18-21 years old and cannot complete their school education due to circumstances beyond their control, are only in exceptional cases, as verified by the Provincial Education Department’s Head of Department.
Reference:
https://www.qcto.org.za/assets/qcto-career-booklet.pdf