Vocational and Technical Education to the Rescue!
Hi, good evening and how are you all doing today? I am glad to welcome you to the Business in You Daily, once again.
Don’t forget we are still dwelling on “why do we go to school?” I am particularly delighted about this radical approach because, it is in line with my lean innovation or “start small” strategy, which I discussed sometime ago.
When I published the question… “Why do we go to school?” yesterday, a number of readers responded and gave more insight on the discussion. One of them was our sister, Carol Kezziah Wambui, all the way from Kenya.
According to her “the main problem with our school systems in Africa is that they leave little or no room for creativity. Children who are naturally gifted in various abilities are persuaded to go for Maths and the pure sciences.
Our former President, Arap Moi, had a clear vision for children when he introduced a system of education at primary level that included basic masonry, basic tailoring, basic cookery and pastry making, basic shoemaking, etc. He built workshops in primary schools which were equipped with various machinery and tools. He was a visionary leader, who faced opposition from other politicians until that vision failed as is common in Africa.
As one who was in school during those days, I still remember how to construct simple tables and stools, how to bake cakes and pastries, how to knit and sew, etc. Unfortunately, his ideas were shutdown before they bore any tangible fruits. The message that vision was trying to communicate to us was that “there’s possibility of succeeding beyond reading books”.
If that vision had been improved, we wouldn’t have had so many unemployed people today, who have degrees, certificates and diplomas, who cannot find a single thing to do with their hands.”
My dear, it sounds so true and is also applicable to us here in Nigeria. The time to return vocational and technical education back to the school systems is right now. For the young people, who have passed the school age, you still have the opportunity to equip yourself with these life skills that will set you apart from others.
I still believe that a word is enough for the wise, sign up now at www.youthscare.org or call 0803 870 2075.
Many thanks for being there for me… good night!
I remain, youthscarely yours,
Remy Chukwunyere