For many South African teenagers, the matric dance is one of those moments they have been dreaming about for years. The dress, the suit, the photographs, arriving with your friends, celebrating the end of 12 years of schooling — it is supposed to be a night to remember. But should that celebration come with conditions? Should you have to earn your matric dance through good marks, good behaviour and discipline? That question has been thrust into the spotlight after a principal at
Milner High School in Klerksdorp cancelled this year’s matric farewell following poor academic performance and concerns about learner behaviour. Seventy-two out of 186 Grade 12 learners failed
their Term 2 examinations, while the principal also raised concerns about learners bunking classes and missing additional lessons, as well as disruptive behaviour during the so-called 40 Days
celebrations. So where do we draw the line? Is cancelling the dance a legitimate way of teaching accountability — that privileges come with responsibility — or are we punishing an entire group of young people for the actions and academic performance of some? And what about the learner who worked hard, attended every class and performed well? Tonight, we ask: should matric dances be scrapped altogether, or should they remain an important rite of passage — perhaps with a different approach to how they are earned and celebrated?