By Ntsako Mhlanga
The start of the year is an ideal time for setting goals, and it is particularly important for parents and children preparing for the 2026 academic year.
Goal-setting helps families monitor progress, track key performance indicators, and identify when intervention may be needed.
Throughout the year, learners find themselves under pressure to perform, but without the tools necessary to achieve the desired results.
The issue is not a lack of intelligence or effort, but a lack of structured academic goal-setting.
Learners are often told to ‘do better’ without being shown how. Most academic struggles stem from unclear goals, poor routines, and limited accountability — not ability.
Many learners set vague intentions, such as wanting better marks, without breaking these down into subject-specific targets, study habits, or realistic timelines. At the same time, parents often struggle to support their children without applying pressure, especially within an overstretched education system.
Academic success is built through structure, consistency, and support. When learners understand what is expected of them and have a clear plan, confidence improves, and performance follows.
Parents and guardians should:
• Help learners set clear, subject-based academic goals
• Focus on routine and consistency rather than punishment
• Schedule regular academic check-ins
• Seek additional academic support early, rather than waiting for crises
Normalising academic support and goal-setting conversations at home and in communities can significantly improve learner outcomes.
Academic success is not accidental; it is structured with each day fully accounted for. It requires deliberate planning and preparation, which are building blocks that are needed, even later in life.
The early adoption of positive thinking and planning strategies will help children to develop their self-confidence and self-awareness as they progress in their academic journey.
Ntsako Mhlanga is the founder of Learnergy, an education support centre based at Eastgate Shopping Centre, dedicated to empowering learners with the academic skills, confidence, and structure they need to thrive.
INSIDE EDUCATION
