NMA’S CORNER!
By Nma Ewere
TIMES ARE REALLY CHANGING
In the past, society had a clearer distinction in education and career paths.
So I was having a conversation with my dad sometime ago, when he had told me that everything was quite different in his time regarding academics and skill acquisition.
He said during his time, those who excelled in primary school (The brightest of them all) would proceed to secondary education, while others who weren’t bright enough or those who didn’t have means of sponsorship would take up trades such as tailoring, hairdressing,soap making and for the men, carpentry, motor mechanics, bicycle repairing, etc.
Later, as standards increased, completing secondary school education became the norm. The brightest students advanced to tertiary institutions, while others pursued skill acquisition.
This system ensured that everyone had a clear path suited to their abilities and interests.
However, today’s reality is different. Now, both high-achieving and average students proceed from primary to secondary and further flood into tertiary institutions.
At the end of their degree,from the surplus of graduates the lucky ones and the ones with connection gain jobs, another percentage enters into trade, like selling of motor spare parts, cosmetics, wigs, etc, another percentage leaves the country for greener pastures (japa), while a greater percentage begin to hunt for jobs.
They do this within a span of 3-4 years. And after 4 years without jobs, they venture into skill acquisition with the tailors in their streets, or selling of provisions or even, soap making.
This really makes me wonder what happened?
Or rather, what is happening?
Personally, I feel this situation highlights a critical issue: the oversaturation of the job market and the misalignment of skills and opportunities.
#nmascorner
22-07-2024
©Nma Ewere