As I write this, our economic situation is in significant decline mode indicating we are in a recession. Most terrific among the indicators is over 100% increase in prices of general goods and services with no equivalent increase in income but rather contributing to another indicator; unemployment since many companies have to layoff staffs to keep running and numerous that failed to dismiss staff are unable to pay or pay in full. The worst among them all is insecurity as criminal effort is becoming an alternative source of income.
Not just in Nigeria, generally in Africa, leadership and governance are in fiasco been the major reason our situation remain stagnant for decades. Those who called themselves leaders and elder state men are political; they are dictators using democracy as a disguise. There are indeed abundant opportunities in Africa but it appears it is not for Africans. We are independent only to see history repeating itself. It is obvious our leaders have failed us, but do we have to fail ourselves?
Africans are hard-working; however, our over-dependent on governance is submerging our effort. Traditional leadership is no longer in control, except that our democracy is glorified as citizens still act like they are under traditional leadership for the benefits of the leaders to achieve their selfish agenda.
As overwhelming as our situations depict, a closer look at the startup sector here in Nigeria and some other Africa countries are indicating otherwise, youths in their 20s, 30s, 40s are creating unimaginable wealth without government intervention, ironically, they are doing it under government victimization. Thanks to the internet exposing the youths to the global stage and companies (also startups) like cchubnigeria.com, andela.com, tecpoint.africa, paystack.com, flutterwave.com, passionincubator.ng, wennovationhub.org and hosts of other hubs, incubators and co-working space across Nigeria and Africa creating platforms to encourage and support startups.
The possibility of significantly contributing to national economic development among which is job creation through local production require productive knowledge which is lacking in our educational system from basic to tertiary institutions. This means many of these youths with the skills to start a business acquire the knowledge away from school. If only we can adopt productive learning starting from secondary school, our unemployed graduates would have been in a position to create a job for themselves and maybe others around them contributing to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
What is Productive Learning?
According to the Institute of Productive Learning in Europe, Productive Learning is a form of education that replaces traditional schooling during the last years of general school. This form of education started its development 20 years ago in Berlin to address mounting discrepancies and conflict between secondary school teachings and the educational needs and interests of the pupils.
The underlying principle of the form of education Productive Learning is the participation of adolescents in social activities, particularly in professional life. The young people create individual curricula based on experiences with activities within independently chosen real-life situations. For three months, they work three days per week at an independently chosen practice site, e.g. at carpentry, in a vegetable shop, for a newspaper publisher, in a hospital, with Amnesty International, in broadcasting or some other real-life situation.
In this way, school is no longer reduced to the teaching of school subjects. Also, the lack of application of what has been learned within the educational process - something which defined general school in the industrial age - is addressed. Additionally, this form of education offers a highly personalized, practice-related and therefore very successful professional orientation.
Why JAMB Introduce Monotechnic
When the issue of JAMB registration came up in my office the other day with an emphasis on students confused on choosing a course of studies and institution, I was opportune to engage some of my trainees and protégés in a discussion that focused on career orientation convincing them on how thoughtful it is for JAMB to includes Monotechnic as part of institution choice.
I can see the surprised looks around, before they question me, I quickly explained the reason for my comments.
I am not sure of the reason JAMB include it, even though it’s a good decision, I realized teenagers out there lack the orientation of such productive knowledge over the traditional degree education.
Even with my detailed explanation, they are not convinced. I understand what that means, many of them are not ready to compromise the ego of being a graduate (BSc Degree) even though they are aware of the uncertainty that awaits them after graduation.
The Apprenticeship System of Education
One of the most effective systems of Productive Learning is the apprenticeship system of education. This system is once upon been an option for those who cannot afford the advanced traditional education, this further downgraded the approach because the majority who go through the training process lack the soft skills needed to developed the skills acquired into full businesses.
In recent time, graduates are now realizing that it is easy to create a business out of acquired skills. So it is becoming normal to see graduates’ going for apprenticeship whiles those who have it but neglect it is utilizing it to create employment for themselves when they are unable to get a job with their certificates.
Blending the apprenticeship with the traditional educational system from secondary school to the tertiary institution will make our educational system productive because businesses, employments, and solutions to numerous problems around us will be created in the process even before graduation and starting a business will become the new normal instead of seeking for employment.
Other Benefits of Productive Learning
- Increase in Gross Domestic Products (GDP)
- Discourage Importation
- Encourage Exportation
- Reduces exploitation and brain drain of our youths
- Encourages foreign investments
- Reduces poverty and encourage evenly distribution of wealth
Conclusion
One avenue this
system can start working is in the private basic schools just as some private
tertiary institutions are changing the scenario. Waiting for our government to
encourage this is like failing ourselves as mentioned above. Enough of waiting
for the government to start or make the changes that will improve our situation.
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