Lerato is a grade 12 learner at a public school in a township. She is a very dedicated and hard working student. She has a high level of self confidence and determination. She is a strong leader who is the president of the RCL in her school. She also plays netball and is the captain of the debate team .
When she was in grade 9 she chose to do Accounting, Mathematics, Business studies and economics. She maintains high marks in all of these subjects . She has a dream to study further in Accounting as she wants to be a chartered accountant.
Lerato is growing up in a neighborhood where there is a lot of poverty. Most of the children never get further than grade 9 and the girls mostly fall pregnant by age 16 . Her parents do not earn a lot of money , her father is a truck driver and her mother never finished school and tries to make money by cooking meals which she sells to locals . Her parents are very supportive,but they are struggling financially. Lerato knows that despite all of this she wants to work hard and achieve her dreams .
1. Discuss two socio-economic factors that can influence Lerato's ability to further her studies
1. Financial constraints: Lerato's family's financial struggles may hinder her ability to further her studies. The cost of tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and other school supplies can be prohibitive, especially for a career in chartered accountancy which requires many years of study. Without access to proper financial resources, Lerato may struggle to afford her education and may be forced to drop out of school.
2. Limited educational resources: Growing up in a neighborhood with high levels of poverty may mean that Lerato's school lacks adequate resources such as textbooks, computers, and qualified teachers. This can hinder her ability to excel academically and may limit her opportunities for further education. Without access to quality education, Lerato may struggle to compete with students from more affluent backgrounds when applying to universities or colleges.