I feel for Central Province. Where has the Provincial Government's priorities gone to? I see less and less number of Central Students entering Uni each year and perhaps any tertiary institutions for that matter. If not university, are we even going to provide any alternative pathways for them to access vocational training perhaps under the TVET programs.
We do not have any major natural resource/commodity that we can bank our future upon. Developments in NCD have pushed us right to the corner and they are not stopping. Are we strategically preparing our future generation to take on the challenges of modernization and transformation from subsistence to cash economy? Are we equipping our future generation with the knowledge and skill set to compete in what will become (or has become) a very challenging market in the near future?
Just take a look at Kwikila, Kupiano, Mainohana, Sogeri, Iarowari, Mt. Diamond and Laloki Secondary schools (the only names I know of out of the 12 listed in the National Education Plan 2015-2019 statistics as of 2014). Need I mention the 188 primary and 304 elementary schools.What state are they in? Are they adequately resourced and supported? Are these schools being given any thought to? This is 2018 the numbers have risen for sure.
According to the 2015-2019 NEP, as of 2014 Central province has 70,656 student enrollment with more than 50% male. Again this is 2018 the numbers have risen for sure. Projected rates suggest more because of the TFF. Of this 70,000+ how many make it to University or other tertiary and vocational training? I am assuming perhaps 10-15%. Might be wrong.
Go ahead and build stadiums and hospitals and many other infrastructure projects but guess what someone else will come and run them for us. We will be spectators in our own land.
Give them the opportunity to learn how to catch fish rather than feeding them a fish. They will starve when you run out of fish.
Nelson Mandela quoted "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." If not the world, at least change your province.
Your likes and reactions to this post don't matter, what matters is please do your part as a leader, parent, and as a student yourself reading this.
We are not alone, we are standing on the shoulders of giants who have gone before us, let's change the mindset of our young people!