A map of colonial Africa. Unlike developed continents, Africa is offering misery to its youthful population. [Photo: bigthink.com]
They say the United States of America is a land of opportunities.True to this statement portrayed through Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state became the first woman presidential nominee. Clinton was a young lady, ambitious and vibrant put down by many when she aspired to be an astronaut. She served as the first lady in Arkansas as well as the first lady in the white house during her husband’s tenure as the president of the free world. They couldn’t see her becoming an astronaut but she defied the odds, pounding the mega-bullies to become a presidential candidate on the Democratic Party. Although she lost the seat to her arch-rival, Donald Trump, Clinton still commands far more support than what most Americans and the world can ignore.Like many super power nations; USA, China, the younger generations has the power to choose between right and wrong. Teens as young as 16-year-olds have driving licenses. They are employable with the necessary skills and talents in hand.The curriculum used in these nations is flexible, child-friendly and inexpensive.
The power to work while you are still in school is availed on condition that you have to really pass examinations and attend tuition. Options of homeschools, private tutors and specific trainers are availed.This is a tough time to be young in Africa with over 40M young people out of work and many more in poor employment. Africa harbours a weak, financially fatigued youthful population.Many young people suffer from skill mismatches. A lot of time and money is consumed in pursuit of education but the skills acquired are not practical for any job market.According to the Guardian, a post published ‘An economist's answer to the youth employment crisis in Africa’ details the factors that lead to a lack of employment as poverty, lack of access to information and misplaced priorities by the governments among the contributors.In truth, the education curriculum of most African states is outdated and exhausted. Only a handful of these states have diversified and accommodated curriculum that is tolerant to all spheres of life for any human being.Dwelling on outdated curriculum only promotes redundancy and poor results. Extreme poverty levels are major contributors for this menace.The gap between the rich and the poor is huge with the poor as a majority and therefore not offering any solutions.
The government need to encourage entrepreneurship and introduce job focused training in their education curriculum to ensure that the young generation is well equipped for the job markets they engage in.