CEES blog

Is it enough to address only the current crop of unemployed youth?

The focus of this new government youth policy as defined in the 2011/12 budget is heavy on the provision of capital for investment, promotion of personal savings and the training of out of school youth in entrepreneurship and employability.  However, I was happy that during the launch the Minister of Finance said her Ministry will work with the Ministry of Education and Sports to review the school curriculum and include entrepreneurship and basic management skills. This is a very good proposal and I hope this will be extended to a more comprehensive curriculum review in Uganda to focus more on preparing youth for work by emphasising the skills that the different school subjects provide in preparation for the real world of work and not just for passing examinations.   Perhaps a portion of the budget could be used to support this skill development in current school curricula.  As it is now, our schools are focusing on knowing for purposes of passing exams and not as a preparation for work. Preparation for JOBS, or what the learner should be able to do, should be the primary focus of education and it should also start early in the education system  Skills for employment must be included in all curricula at all levels of our educational system.  Knowledge is not enough. In that respect the emphasis should be on training and not on provision of start-up capital without ensuring the capacity to manage the business ventures that will be financed.