BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT AND SUMMER SCHOOLS

Growing up as a child was hectic. My school was meant to close by 2pm. But my parents organised an after-school lesson which started by 3pm and ended by 6pm. Besides, I was made to read my books from 8pm to 9pm, and to go to bed by10pm.

I was always anticipating the long vacation, popularly known as “summer holiday,” so I could have a break, to rest and play as much as I could. But this joy was cut short as I was faced with another compulsory classes called summer holiday. The Western education curriculum is designed in such a way that the children could have a break to themselves but our parents tend to take it to extra height without considerations for other aspects of the child’s life.

I am not aware that these children faced with such “hard” life called “perpetual education” have become geniuses. Some of these parents still paid for malpractices during professional examinations like WAEC or NECO to enable their wards attain good grades. What then is the essence of this forced trauma that children are made to go through?

Children deserve some break to enable them refresh from classroom lessons, an opportunity provided for by the summer holidays. With rising cases of unemployment in the country, it would be better to put the summer holidays into better use by equipping children with some skills which could be put to use in future. Basic skills such as tailoring, baking, arts and craft, computing and programming skills can go a long way in bridging the gap between unemployment and academic work.

The scarcity of white collar jobs has made it so difficult for our graduates to adapt to the realities of the labour market after passing out from the compulsory one-year service to fatherland. This is because during their formation days, they have been deprived of the basic orientation that will prepare them for the ever-changing world, and the skills needed to adapt to this reality.

Nigeria has the highest numbers of unemployed youth in Africa today and this can be attributed to dependency on certificates for white collar jobs. Parents approach to Western education and securing a child’s future needs an urgent and critical review. Children could do better if they are allowed some break. They could take a skill out of the many skill sets that abound. Some children could make a better life out fashion designing, dancing, singing, and more. Western education is good but it doesn’t guarantee a bright future for everyone.

Anthonia Ojoma Adejoh, PRNigeria Center, Kano