It comes as no surprise when I hear about the high unemployment rate among Ghanaian graduates. In fact any critical observer of our education system will expect this to occur. It is disheartening that after over 56 years of independence our education system has not seen any significant change but rather we still use the old system where all the emphasis is on theory and classroom work rather than the practical aspect that will make students marketable after school. In fact upon short interviews with many students reveals that most students have no clear vision of what they want to do in future with the course they read at even the tertiary level. It seems even tertiary education has become just a trend and not a purpose driven action to improve upon one's knowledge base and equip him or her with the necessary skills he or she can independently survive.
I once went to withdraw money from the bank. As I stood in the queue in the banking hall, one young lady approached me asking for assistance to write a figure on her cheque. I quickly obliged and entered into a conversation with her. I realized she was a third year student in a reputable private university in our beloved country. I was shocked! I couldn't stop wondering what criteria of selection was used to admit someone who couldn't write such a simple figure. This reminds me of a popular adage : Don't blame the writer, blame the game. In deed the student is not the one to blame but rather the system. I remember taking an Integrated Science examination question paper from the just-ended B.E.C.E. and realized that almost 75% of the questions there quite analogous to what I wrote in 2009. I would not be surprised if in ten years time these same set of questions are given to candidates to answer. I will not even go on to talk about the W.A.S.S.C.E. ; In fact I will save it for another day.
But what does this all go to prove? The current education system trains students to be passive observers of their environment with no clear aims or visions to bring about any positive change. Ghanaian students from primary level to the tertiary stage are spoon-fed and thus are not able to function independently when they leave school. In fact science education now has no meaning in Ghana. Isn't it funny when a graduate holding a degree in civil engineering applies to work in bank? Clearly this individual had no clear understanding of the purpose for which he obtained that degree. It is a pity that all our major construction and engineering feats are achieved by expatriates. What meaning do we give to science education then? Business students are no different. It is rare to meet a business student who wishes to do something on his or her own after school. Everyone want to work at a bank, insurance company or some multimillion conglomerate. What happens to the spirit of entrepreneurship? Would there have been any Microsoft if Bill Gates thought this way? Most students are hit with a true picture of reality on the job market when it becomes too late; when they've completed school and have remained unemployed for year. Sadly, they attribute their plight of unemployment to spirits who know nothing about it.
Comparing our economy to more developed nations reveals that most of their production is done by their graduates; companies liaise with educational institutions to design courses that will be necessary for the job market. Can this be said about Ghana?where something as simple as toothpick is imported?Definitely no!
Our education system clearly needs to undergo a serious radical change. Students should be taught to become more independent from even the primary level. Tertiary institutions should collaborate with companies to design courses that will be needed in the job market. The corruption factor should seriously be checked to ensure that only qualified students are admitted.
Let's take our education seriously because it can steer the future of our nation.
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