Changing course : Options for dealing with unexpected Matric results

Following the release of the 2024 Matric results, countless students are in a position where they can – or are forced to – reconsider their plans for 2025. For those who did better than expected, new doors will have opened. For others, their initial study plans may need to be reviewed due to their marks not fulfilling the requirements of their chosen qualification. Regardless of an individual’s position, it’s important to know how to move forward, an education expert says.

“In the wake of receiving their results, it is important for all Matrics from the Class of 2024 to pause and consider the way forward. Even if your results don’t impact your initial plans, it is still advisable to make sure you know you are on the right path,” says Peter Kriel, General Manager at The Independent Institute of Education, SA’s leading private higher education provider.  

Scenario 1: You Did Better Than Expected

Kriel says the first thing to do if you did better than expected is to enjoy the moment and celebrate your success.

“Take pride in your achievement and recognise the hard work and dedication you put in. In preparation for future successes it is also important to reflect on your methods: Think about what strategies worked for you. Did you follow a study schedule? Did you use specific study techniques? Understanding what contributed to your success can help you in future endeavours,” he says.

Then consider your options and plan your next steps. If you have a better than expected endorsement on the National Senior Certificate, you may want to reconsider your initial plans. 

“If you applied to a higher education institution to study in 2025, contact them immediately and find out if there is space available in a programme that you would rather follow but did not previously qualify for. 

“Alternatively, explore other options to check for available space. In South Africa, public universities and private higher education providers must all register as higher education providers and the qualifications they offer are all subject to a unitary form of accreditation. This means that there may be a world of options now open to you, which you may not even have been aware of.”

Scenario 2: You Didn’t Do as Well as Expected

Kriel says it is very important to stay positive and not panic. Performing below par is a temporary hurdle, not the end of the road.

“It’s natural to feel disappointed, but remember that one set of results does not define your future. Reflect on what happened and understand where things went wrong. Was it a lack of preparation, anxiety, or difficulty with certain topics? Identifying the problem is the first step to improvement going forward,” he says.

If your poorer performance didn’t impact your National Senior Certificate endorsement you are probably also set to go. Your reflection on what went wrong is now more important than ever to ensure that you don’t make the same mistakes going forward.

However, if you applied to study and you now no longer qualify to follow this route, you have to act quickly to plan how you will get to where you planned to be in the first place.

“Remember, all doors are not closed – you may just need to follow a different route. One really good option is to enrol for a Higher Certificate at a reputable registered and accredited higher education institution. The advantage of doing this is that once you have successfully completed the Higher Certificate, you will be able to continue with degree studies in your chosen discipline.”

It is important to keep in mind that both successes and failures are part of the learning process, Kriel says.

“Use them as opportunities to build resilient adaptability and develop a growth mindset by believing in your ability to grow and improve. A growth mindset can turn challenges into opportunities for learning and development.

“Your final school exam results are an important milestone, but they are just one part of your academic journey. Whether you did better or worse than expected, there are always steps you can take to continue growing and improving. Celebrate your achievements, learn from your experiences, and stay focused on your future goals. Remember, with determination and the right mindset, you can overcome any challenge and achieve your dreams.”

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Here’s How Tax Relief for Neurodivergent Kids Actually Works

If you’re raising a neurodivergent child in South Africa, you’re already doing a lot.

Appointments. School meetings. Forms. “Can you just send that report again?” moments. The daily juggling act of home + school + therapy + life.

So when someone says, “You might be able to claim tax relief,” it can feel like one more admin mountain… right when you’re already running on fumes.

Here’s the good news: tax relief is available, and there’s a real framework designed to give families some breathing room.

The bad news is: it’s not always obvious how it works, and the internet is full of conflicting advice.

This guide will help you understand the basics without spiralling.

Tax relief is available in South Africa

South Africa’s tax system includes support for families who carry additional medical and care costs. The main mechanism is the Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit (AMTC).

It’s not a cash payout. It’s a tax credit that reduces the amount of normal tax you pay.

For many families, it becomes a crucial “safety valve”, especially when you’re paying for the kind of support your child needs to function well in the real world.

Where neurodiversity fits into the SARS framework

SARS doesn’t have a neat category called “neurodivergence.”

Instead, conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and PDA are considered based on their functional impact, in other words, how much they limit day-to-day life.

For tax purposes, a “disability” is defined as a moderate to severe limitation in a person’s ability to function or perform daily activities (including learning, thinking, communicating).

If your child’s challenges create a moderate to severe limitation that is expected to last more than a year, your family may qualify for tax relief.

If the limitations are considered milder, the condition may fall under what SARS calls a “physical impairment.” (Despite the name, this category isn’t limited to physical conditions and can still apply in some neurodevelopmental contexts.) 

Relief may still be available, but often with different thresholds and limits.

The common misunderstanding that trips parents up

One of the biggest myths is:

“If I have the diagnosis, we automatically qualify.”

Not necessarily.

SARS looks at whether the condition remains a significant limitation even after what it calls “maximum correction” (including appropriate therapy, treatment, or medication).

Because every child is different, eligibility is assessed case by case. Two families can have the same diagnosis and still have different outcomes depending on how the condition impacts daily functioning.

Which is frustrating, yes.
But also: it’s why getting clarity early matters.

Why paperwork and medical confirmation matter (even if you hate admin)

The admin requirements can feel like adding weight to an already heavy load.

But they’re also the keys to unlocking tax relief.

A diagnosis label isn’t enough. You need formal medical confirmation from a registered practitioner who is trained to give an opinion on your child’s condition.

The key document is the ITR-DD form (Confirmation of Diagnosis of Disability).

Whether this form is required in your situation can depend on how your child’s needs are classified (which is exactly where many parents get stuck).

Important: you typically don’t submit the form with your annual return, but you must keep it, along with invoices and proof of payments, for at least five years. 

SARS often verifies these claims, so having your paperwork organised from the start protects you later.

Think of it like this: a few clicks to save documents today can save you hours of stress later.

You don’t have to figure it all out today

If this feels complex, you’re not meant to decode it alone in between lunchboxes and meltdowns.

So we created a simple starting point for parents:

✅ Download the tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/
 A clear summary of what you need to know (and what to gather), without the jargon.

Supporting a neurodivergent child requires enough time, energy, and emotional bandwidth as it is. Tax admin shouldn’t be another thing you have to white-knuckle your way through.

Start with the cheat sheet.
Get the lay of the land.
And take it one step at a time.

👉 Download the free tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/

Disclaimer:

This content is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances, and eligibility for tax relief is assessed by SARS on a case-by-case basis. We recommend consulting a registered tax practitioner or qualified professional before submitting any tax claims

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Why do young children battle with Maths?

The Development of Maths Anxiety – Common Challenges that Children Face

Studies show that at around age 8 children start losing their spontaneity and become more anxious about Maths. Why is this?

Maths is Unforgiving!

Maths measures us like no other subject and affects our self-esteem like no other subject.
The perception is that if you are good at Maths, you are clever.

A Maths answer is either perfect or not. An answer of 7 x 7 = 50 is very close but very wrong. None of us like being put on the spot and being wrong.

Speed kills

Many children equate speed to intelligence. Pressure to give answers quickly often builds anxiety in children that need a bit more time.

Speed tests for basic facts are often counter-productive and serve to make the faster child quicker and the slower child even slower and more anxious.

Children who work slowly end up doing fewer sums and get caught up in a downward spiral. Developing understanding takes time.

When we emphasize speed only, we send the incorrect message that all problems should be solved quickly, which hurts children’s persistence on more complicated tasks.

Emphasis on Rote learning and memory

An over emphasis on rote learning impacts children that have a limited working memory and long-term memory.

Many of our ideas around teaching Maths revolve around memorising Maths information.

All of us differ in our ability to do that especially when what we must memorise has no meaning.

Negative messages about Maths by Parents and Teachers

Many of us send out messages of a fixed mindset. “I am just not good at Maths and will never be good at it. This is just the way I am!”

One often hears parents say: “I was never good at Maths, so it’s not surprising my child isn’t good either.” A growth mindset says that we can all become better through practice.

Ineffective Strategies

Many children have an over-reliance on counting.

This leads to problems in developing fluency for the four operations.

Poor number sense and an inability to estimate leads to difficulty in understanding place value. This in turn has a negative effect on children’s ability to develop effective strategies to do calculations fluently.

It is a common misconception that Maths is all about “rules” and procedures. Algorithms play a big role in Maths but a lot of it needs to be understood. Maths is about making sense of problems and understanding why particular strategies work.

Maths becomes tricky if we don’t Understand what the Symbols mean

Somewhere a young child is confronted with the fact that the number 7 on a clock can represent 7, sometimes 25 and at other times 35.

When working with money, two 50 cent coins equal a R1 coin.

When measuring length, we expect children to know that 100cm =1m.

All of this is very confusing for a young child if they don’t have conceptual understanding of what the symbols represent.

What can I as a parent do?

Here are a few simple ideas for you to think about.

Your Child first, Maths second

Know that your child is a little human being not a little human calculator.

We are human beings not human doings.

Our ability to do Maths does not define who we are.

Our ability to do Maths does not define our worth.

Our ability to do Maths does not determine whether we will be financially successful one day.

It is also true that Maths plays a big role in the school curriculum.

Battling with Maths is not nice. Full Stop.

Maths is a pathway to many careers.

It feels nice to be able to solve a Maths problem.

We firmly believe that all children can develop a good foundation in Maths.

Be Authentic

Know that you and your child are unique and that you both have your own unique gifts.

Take a firm resolution to never compare your child with other children.

All children develop differently and at their own pace.

There is no rush.

Regular opportunties for learning in an enabling environment gives your child the best chance.

You as a Mom are unique with your own talents and parenting style.

Take a firm resolution to never compare yourself with other Moms.

You don’t have to be a great Mathematician in order to be a great Maths Mom.

There is no Ceiling

Know that your beliefs determine everything.
Isn’t it amazing and scary that the beliefs that we infuse in our kids will be the beliefs that they will most probably carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Children become what those around them believe them to be.
The biggest gift that you can give your child is to help them develop a good feeling about themselves.

Your child knows more than what you think.

You know more than what you think.

Your child is capable of much more than what you might believe.

You are capable of much more than what you might believe.

At the end of the day how you interact with your child is foundational.

Read through these tips a few times and reflect on your belief systems around Maths.

In our next article we will look at specific topics in the curriculum and give you some pointers of how to help your child.

If you are interested in chatting further you are welcome to contact us at www.mikimaths.com

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Dibber The Whisken Officially Opens: Bringing Heart-Led Learning to Midrand Preschoolers

“Our mission is to embark as many children as possible on a magical learning journey – giving them the best start in life and fostering a lifelong love of learning.”
— Hans Jacob Sundby, Founder, Dibber International Preschools

Crowthorne, Midrand – Today marked the official opening of Dibber The Whisken. This brand-new early childhood development centre is situated in the heart of the Whisken Lifestyle Estate on Whisken Avenue. The new campus is the latest addition to Dibber’s growing family of international preschools in South Africa. It offers young children in the local community a nurturing and inspiring start to their learning journey.

Located in one of Gauteng’s vibrant residential hubs, Dibber The Whisken is set to become a cornerstone for families. It offers meaningful, values-driven early learning in a safe and stimulating environment. The school is led by principal Drew Ellis and her passionate team of educators. Bharti Daya, Dibber’s Pedagogy and Operational Lead for Montessori campuses in South Africa, provides pedagogical guidance.

With a global foundation across nine countries, Dibber is known for its heart-led early education. In South Africa, the network now spans 17 schools across Gauteng and the Western Cape. A new Western Cape campus opens in March. A franchise model will soon launch to expand access even further.

Dibber’s unique philosophy centres on nurturing the whole child, with a strong emphasis on the holistic development of the child. Every Dibber school is rooted in its local community. The curriculum combines global best practices with South African cultural richness and play-based discovery. Children are encouraged to explore, question, imagine, and connect. Engaged educators see and celebrate the individual strengths of every child.

“At Dibber, we believe children are the most important people in the world. That belief shapes everything we do – from how we build our classrooms to how we greet each child in the morning. With the opening of Dibber The Whisken, we’re so proud to extend this culture of care and curiosity to even more families,” said Lizelle ‘t Lam, Growth, Integration and Marketing Lead, Dibber South Africa. 

The Whisken campus offers Montessori-inspired classrooms and interactive outdoor play areas. The daily rhythm balances structure with creativity. Parents benefit from Dibber’s emphasis on family partnerships, transparent communication, and values-based education.

Dibber invites all parents in the Midrand and greater Johannesburg area to explore what makes its schools different. Open Days and enrolment tours are available upon request.

For more information, visit www.dibber.co.za or contact Dibber The Whisken directly – 0729975013 | [email protected]

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