How is this possible when across the world, a young person spends on average about 18 years of their lives in formal education? Why would a young person after completing primary, secondary and/or tertiary education, lack the skills employers seek?
Globally, there is a mismatch between education systems and the skills required for the 21st Century and as a result, youth leaves school without learning the skills needed to lead successful and productive lives.
Take the case of Sub-Saharan African for example which made the greatest progress in primary school enrolment among all developing regions in 2012, yet the literacy rate is still below 50% in several countries in the region.
In fact, according to The World Bank’s Report on Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa, evidence shows that poor learning outcomes through years of low-quality education produce youth who are barely literate and unable to contribute to sustainable development.
So what is the solution?
Africa has the youngest population in the world, and by 2055, the continent’s youth population aged 15-24, is expected to more than double.
My vision is for all young people to achieve recognized and measurable learning outcomes with quality formal, non-formal and vocational education and training that equips them with the relevant knowledge and skills to lead safe, healthy and productive lives, to meet the demands of the job market and to foster global citizenship.
It is therefore crucial that we substantially improve the quality of schooling across the continent, so that it results in actual learning and skills acquisition for the growing number of youths in Africa who will enter the labor force in the next 10 years.
That is why I started Jumpstart Academy Africa – to provide workforce readiness, soft skills, entrepreneurship and technical skills training to young people. Through our programs, we are providing skills development and school-to-work transitions for young people across Cameroon and Togo.
As a Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals, my vision is for all young people to achieve recognized and measurable learning outcomes with quality formal, non-formal and vocational education and training that equips them with the relevant knowledge and skills to lead safe, healthy and productive lives, to meet the demands of the job market and to foster global citizenship.
Madelle Kangha is the Founder and President of JumpStart Academy Africa, a for impact social venture which seeks to transform Africa by fixing a broken education system.
