There is desired Paradigm Shift in education of the 21st Century. Governments and the private sector are heavily investing in capacity building of university students and graduates. We assess a few gaps in education.
Our common baseline understanding is that Education is receiving systematic instruction especially at a school or University (formal institution). This ranges from the general to technical to professional courses, which certainly is a needful thing in Society. It's viewed as a passport to freedom, a bridge that connects dreams to reality and a cornerstone for conquering the world.
The premise underscores Education as just a lever to professionalism, affluence and of course eligibility for employment. The most unfortunate mistake is that young people have thus forgotten the power in their Curiosity, relegated and labelled work as 'white collar', 'blue collar' or just the 'dirty jobs' and those doing the dirty Jobs are ideally dishonored by the system.
Ultimately, it's up to young people to decide whether their job is fulfilling and purposeful, based on their own experiences, ambitions, and perspectives, rather than relying on their employer's assessment.This assumption is only valid if they have the required skills for the job in question. As long as it is helping you achieve a reliable income, is reputable and gives you a sense of purpose. .
17 years of skilling to mismatching skills or no employable skills at all.
On average African students spend a total of 17 years in different levels of school before they graduate with a first degree which is the basic qualification for majority's dignified and fulfilling employment. The desired shift will be seen If only the role of education is viewed as 'replacing an empty mind with an open one' as Forbes rightfully said. A graduate who isn't able to interlink the conceptual frameworks, recognize the needs of the evolving world and adapt accordingly will only look as basically good as one who knows how to read and write.
The desired elites are those with competence of Professional integration and mobility, responsive to evolving challenges and just a model of morality. Let education be an ignition for revolutionary thinking, multi-professionalism who will be able to integrate and solve the problems of society. The educated must not forget their moral compass and expect freedom from their greed for society's resources. Just as it sufficed Aristotle to say
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no Education at all.
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