Promote skills for job creation

Today marks the end of Makerere University’s four-day graduation ceremony for this year.
More than 14,000 students have been awarded degrees in various disciplines during the institution’s 68th graduation ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, on Tuesday asked graduates to be critical thinkers and not mere job seekers. “You might stumble and fall but always have the courage to stand up and try again with dignity,” Prof Nawangwe said during the graduation of the first batch.
Although the liberalisation of the education sector in the country has led to creation of more training institutions that have eased access to formal education, much has not changed in terms of quality learning.
Many graduates have not been equipped with relevant skills to either compete favourably for the few available jobs or be in position to create them. This has led to training institutions creating more job seekers than creators partly because they promote theory over practical learning.
The nature of education offered should be in position to transform a learner. Otherwise, it is a waste of time to sit idle after school. But because many learners have been trained to become job seekers, they will find no pleasure in reflecting and strategising for their career paths.
Therefore, government should take a deliberate effort to promote practical learning and ensure it is incorporated by universities and other institutions of higher learning in the country.
Apparently, Prof Nawangwe could have read what awaits graduates -uncertainty. As many jubilated and perhaps organised parties to celebrate the achievement, some were wondering whether their degree certificates will be relevant after all. One such student was Ms Resty Nabatanzi, a Bachelor of Arts with Education graduate, who said she has applied in more than 30 schools since she completed studies in June last year but none has invited her for an interview.

As society dictates, universities should be in position to produce an all-round person. Such human resource, without a doubt, will play a big role in the transformation of the country. Unless that is done, the government risks breeding criminals, who will instead turn to terrorise communities once they fail to find meaningful work.

Therefore, it is about time that universities focussed attention on equipping learners with practical skills over theory to help them create jobs and address the human resource needs of the country.

The issue: Skills
Our view: It is about time that universities focussed attention on equipping learners with practical skills over theory to help them create jobs and address the human resource needs of the country.