Where it began
I moved down to Cape Town from Johannesburg in December of 2017. I had trouble finding a school that would accept me (not because of behaviour). The main problem I had was that most of the schools in my area were full and recommended I waited or looked elsewhere. There were however other obstacles on the road such as cost, transportation, and although I had not failed a grade, I was not an ‘A’ student. A combination of these problems made it difficult. After some time, I did end up at a home school in Parklands, however, this school was not much help to my education. I did not have a Business, Maths or CAT teacher for half the year and the school closed down shortly after. I no longer really cared about my education at this point and I thought it was just a waste of time and resources, needless to say, I wasn’t very motivated.
Why the GED
I honestly felt like there was no point in looking further. Luckily, someone in my church had mentioned that Fayth offered tutoring for the GED, I had not previously heard of the GED. I did my research and discovered that this might be my only way of obtaining a high school certification (NQF Level 4). The more I searched the more I realized how useful the GED could one day become for me, I also started understanding why it was so highly recommended. It can be studied and completed at your own pace; you will however have to go to a GED testing facility to take the test. The GED is offered to anyone over the age of 17, you may also write your GED if you already have a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12).
Keep in mind that the GED is an American Syllabus, so the subjects and topics might be explained and presented differently from what you are used to.
Life after the GED
After I had completed all 4 subjects, I then started helping others with their GED as well as tutoring maths prompted by Fayth. I had not previously acknowledged the fact that I love explaining concepts and helping others succeed, I also now enjoy maths and web design. Yes, I did just say I enjoy maths! I never did previously because I did not understand it. The GED has allowed the opportunity for me to study teaching, which I am very excited about. I am also currently learning and studying coding, design, marketing and web development through Shaw Academy. I even got accepted into Varsity College, this goes to show that there is a real opportunity here. I am very grateful to my mom, other family members, Fayth, Shelanti and the GED system.
The GED has also led me here, to Shelanti GED Centre Of Excellence where I help in various ways and write these blogs.
Steps to obtain a GED
1. Register on the GED site
Go to https://ged.com/ and sign up for free.
2. Find tutoring or self-study
We at Shelanti GED offer tutoring, contact us,
Or via our website
For self-study, we highly recommend the GED prep book (the blue book) on Takealot.
3. Book online to take the GED
The GED is divided into 4 sections: English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies (History). You can write each section individually or choose one day for all 4 subjects.
Once you are ready to write, book a test on the website you signed up on, then the site will show you all of the available GED testing locations, each test costs $80 (+- R1300).
4. Taking the GED Test
The GED is an electronic test taken on a computer with a timer displayed on the screen. Each test has its own time limit; English 150 minutes, Mathematics 115 minutes, Science 90 minutes, Social Studies 70 minutes.
The GED cannot be taken online at home in South Africa.
5. Passing the GED Test
To graduate the GED, you must earn a minimum score of 145 over 200 on each test subject to pass and receive a high school credential.
6. University or Work
Once you have completed and passed every subject for the GED, you now have options. You can start working or go and study further. The GED is a NQF Level 4 certification. Universities in South Africa do accept the GED (not all); however, each will have its own rules and requirements for acceptance. Here are some that do accept the GED:
UNISA, University of the people, Varsity College, University of Johannesburg and more.
What is an NQF Level?
"The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) records a student’s achievements by assessing a student’s credits, and all the knowledge and skills learnt."
"1. NQF Levels 1 to 4 –These levels are from grade 9 to grade 12 at school or at a TVET college.
2. NQF Levels 5 to 7 – These are post school levels, ranging from diploma’s national and advanced diploma received from a Technikon or a college.
3. NQF Level 8 to 10 – These are degrees and postgraduate degrees obtained from a university”.
Visit https://www.skillsacademy.co.za/understanding-an-nqf-level-4-equivalent/ for more information.
From the principal
"It has been an honour working with such amazing students. Each had their own style and way of studying. With the GED each journey belongs to the individual and they can learn at their own pace and in their own way. What a privilege to educate the youth of today!"
- Fayth Hansen
GED Students
“Getting my General Education diploma was a short Odyssey...; I got to work at my own pace, and Shalenti GED has many resources to work from and gain extra knowledge. Thanks, Fayth and Josh for the short journey!” – GED Gradate
“To the Shelanti GED team (Parklands), and especially Fayth and Josh, thank you so much for showing me that the GED was student-friendly. Thanks for your instructions and support as 2020 posted so many delays with closed schools, exam centres, etc, when the Covid19 pandemic hit us. You kept our spirits up and today I am a proud GED (matric) certificate holder with amazing passing symbols I never got in mainstream school. Shelanti and GED is the way to go for scholars thinking out of the box. Thank you, thank you!!” - GED Graduate
“Going down the GED path has been a blessing, even though I didn’t think much of it at the time. I do now, and I am very grateful! The GED has also led me to very interesting people from all walks of life.” - GED Graduate
“If it wasn’t for Circumstances, I would not have had this opportunity to study the GED”.
– GED Student
“I have found the GED very helpful and I feel prepared for my future.” - GED Student