Africa,s problem is trusting paper degree over skills and knowledge

[ndutndut]

One of the disease eating up Africa's development was the brainwashed the European slave masters gave to them about school. They were taught how to read and write what the Europeans wrote,no skills attached,no knowledge just know how to read and write. Today, the world has gone beyond you just acquiring degrees to you acquiring skills and knowledge. The world economy is been revolutionized and Africa lacks the man power to do that . Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

Bullshit!

Quit whinging and moaning about schools, and religion if you're not going to criticise the system which has never benefited Africans but rather, plants colonial puppets who leave you in ruins.
It is the system, you have to look at it and call it what it means.
I repeat, the system was never created to see Africans benefit from it, so why use it?

In fact, almost all countries adopt this system including my own, because they still believe that having a diploma is a means of securing a job. This system could be considered a colonial legacy, as education was designed to produce administrative staff or low level employees who supported the colonial system not to develop skills or independent innovation.

However, the colonial system isn't inherently bad even though its motive was simply to become an employee. By pursuing education, we broaden our mindset and develop a broader literacy, allowing us to hone our skills. The main problem isn't just the colonial legacy, but the failure to apply it to education or the failure to make changes to the system to improve it. In my country, education still relies on rote learning and theory based exams, so when we earn a degree we lack practical skills.

[Yeesha]

Bringing education to Africa by the European isn't bad it would have even be more difficult if we can't read or write you wouldn't also have been in this forum if you can't read or write, in the days of my grandfather those who has the opportunity to be educated were the ones occupying most important offices in the society but now things has actually changed only degree doesn't save again people with skills are even getting it clear now but leaning the skill was also possible because of the little knowledge they have aquire in the primary and secondary education most people with degree now also have skill because of how hard it is now to get a job through the degree they have aquired in the university.

You are extremely right, if we are not educated and cannot read or write, the situation must have been worse by now. If not for anything at least we will have the ability to gain more knowledge, skills and experience through education and we will be able to grow through it and engage ourselves in beneficial and productive things. Knowledge is never a waste, because it can be applied in one way or the other to ensure your stability. The inability for some Africans to secure a white collars jobs after graduating from college or universities is what makes them believe that school is scam.

[Satofan44]

I think the education design in Africa is towards employment, they teach on how to get a job and not on how to create jobs, while in the world entrepreneurship the aim of every educational system, teach skills over theory and it has helped them to be independent over Africa.

That is how education works everywhere, so stop making up reasons that are not a thing. Only in entrepreneurship-related schools are you taught how to create jobs everywhere in the world, it is not part of standard schooling -- and even if it is in some places, it is so superficial that a single course online will teach you more.

If Africans refused to prioritize certificate over skills they will remain underdeveloped, although acquiring certificates is good but the mentality of certificate over skills should be abolished rather than to consider both. Some people will be i just want to have this certificate for the promotion and forget to focus on having the knowledge of what they are studying, at the end they can't even defend themselves. imagine civil engineer students that prioritize certificate and don't focus on the knowledge, i don't think he/she will have anything to present on field, most of the developed countries we see today do make skills compulsory for citizens in other to support country with the knowledge of their skills.

Many people have certificates that do not know almost anything at all in the given field and they are terrible employees. Certificates should be ignored unless demonstrated by skill, or unless they are very rigorous certificates as some found in the U.S. Most places in the world do not have certificate standards on this level.

Honestly innovation and practical education really deserves much more attention, but I don't agree saying that Africa don't produce anything or lacks innovation completely. Africa has alot of talented people and innovative ideas, even though alot of them still struggle because of weak infrastructure, inconsistent government support and limited funding. If greater investment goes into research, entrepreneurship and skills development, several local innovations can make a global impact.

This is a false argument and shows a sign of a lack of education. "Inconsistent government support and limited funding"? You are not entitled to any funding if you have a shitty idea and mediocre execution. Government support is not free, money does not grow on fucking trees -- it comes from other people whether through taxes or devaluation through money printing. The people in the west that made it the most did not rely on either government support or funding. Do not blame your own failures on third parties or institutions, they are your personal failures and nothing more than that. If you failed on your own, that does not mean that you would not fail with the support of others -- you most likely would.

[BlackHatCoiner]

Why is this framed as an Africa problem? Isn't this already happening in Europe and America too? Plenty of graduates there are stuck with degrees and no jobs while companies still demand certificates for basic roles.

"Inconsistent government support and limited funding"? You are not entitled to any funding if you have a shitty idea and mediocre execution.

It makes you wonder how "Bitcoiners" inside this museum piece still buy the notion that the government can fix anything, from a terrible business idea to research that the market did not wish to have in the first place.

[Lida93]

One of the disease eating up Africa's development was the brainwashed the European slave masters gave to them about school. They were taught how to read and write what the Europeans wrote,no skills attached,no knowledge just know how to read and write. Today, the world has gone beyond you just acquiring degrees to you acquiring skills and knowledge. The world economy is been revolutionized and Africa lacks the man power to do that . Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

To read and write is one, to be skillful is another but you could still be with all two without hindrances. Where the problem actually started was the mentality of a white-collar job by everyone in the African society. Every parents wanted their child to be working in an office and much respect are it were in those days were much given to those in white-collar jobs therefore making skillful persons having less dignity in their professions. But today, the world has evolved, technology has changed a lot of things and dynamics has turned from degree to skill - practical world over theoretical.

[passwordnow]

That doesn't only apply in Africa, I think other countries are also relying on the degrees and the diplomas of what the candidates can present to the employer. I think there's a point for the employers because it's hard earned by the potential employees although it's not really the basis of how skillful a person is. There are a lot of skilled people who haven't got their degrees and yet, they're highly valuable and paid.

[Odusko]

One of the disease eating up Africa's development was the brainwashed the European slave masters gave to them about school. They were taught how to read and write what the Europeans wrote,no skills attached,no knowledge just know how to read and write. Today, the world has gone beyond you just acquiring degrees to you acquiring skills and knowledge. The world economy is been revolutionized and Africa lacks the man power to do that . Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

To read and write is one, to be skillful is another but you could still be with all two without hindrances. Where the problem actually started was the mentality of a white-collar job by everyone in the African society. Every parents wanted their child to be working in an office and much respect are it were in those days were much given to those in white-collar jobs therefore making skillful persons having less dignity in their professions. But today, the world has evolved, technology has changed a lot of things and dynamics has turned from degree to skill - practical world over theoretical.

Is been ages since the European Left us to our Faith and up till now w still keep blaming them for Africa underdevelopment where's the real problem is internal crisis, like I side no region in the world is as blessed as Africa but we have the culture of only having a bad leader, our leaders don't care about infrastructural development they are more inclined with election and it other activities instead focusing on the job, being productive and avoidance of possible blame games like shifting blames.

[Agbamoni]

School supposed to be about practicals used in supporting theories, but Africa is mostly about theories. If this one is left beside, also Africa lack knowledge of innovations which are very important. It is very surprising that Africa has nothing good that they are developing that we know of. They are just lagging behind all the time. Your governments also do not seat down, to think about this and know a way forward which makes Africa not yet be in 2026. It is like Africa is 10 years behind.

There is time and season for everything on earth. The time of education being the path to success has passed away. This is the time that anyone can own wealth whether they are educated or not. Social media has made us realise that you can get rich by fooling yourself and getting naked online. I feel disappointed with the things I see online. However, there is nothing anyone can do now.

[knowngunman]

One of the disease eating up Africa's development was the brainwashed the European slave masters gave to them about school. They were taught how to read and write what the Europeans wrote,no skills attached,no knowledge just know how to read and write. Today, the world has gone beyond you just acquiring degrees to you acquiring skills and knowledge. The world economy is been revolutionized and Africa lacks the man power to do that . Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

The fact that we continue blaming European for our misfortune up to this date shows that we are not ready for development. I know they contribute a lot to our downfall but it is high time we get back to our feet and make things right ourselves. Every system brought to us by European has been long alter by our leaders from government system to all other sections including education.

Unfortunately, our eyes is beginning to open but the youths are not being given a chance to make the changes we deserve. One professor wrote a book titled "skills rather than just degree" to open eyes of more people on the importance of skills. I believe even organisations now focus on what you're bringing to the table more than just your academic qualifications.

[Fiatless]

The fact that we continue blaming European for our misfortune up to this date shows that we are not ready for development. I know they contribute a lot to our downfall but it is high time we get back to our feet and make things right ourselves. Every system brought to us by European has been long alter by our leaders from government system to all other sections including education.

Unfortunately, our eyes is beginning to open but the youths are not being given a chance to make the changes we deserve. One professor wrote a book titled "skills rather than just degree" to open eyes of more people on the importance of skills. I believe even organisations now focus on what you're bringing to the table more than just your academic qualifications.

I keep repeating that Africa's biggest problem is corruption. How can we keep blaming Europeans who have left our continent for over fifty years for our educational woes? Africa has the resources to put in place the best modern educational institutions, but leaders prefer to steal the money for personal use. Meanwhile, they send their children and relatives to European and American schools to get a good education. 



Fortunately, the barrier to accessing quality education has been broken down by the internet. I don't need to travel to the US or Europe to gain knowledge. With a small device like a smartphone, I can gain a world-class education.

[Satofan44]

Why is this framed as an Africa problem? Isn't this already happening in Europe and America too? Plenty of graduates there are stuck with degrees and no jobs while companies still demand certificates for basic roles.

"Inconsistent government support and limited funding"? You are not entitled to any funding if you have a shitty idea and mediocre execution.

It makes you wonder how "Bitcoiners" inside this museum piece still buy the notion that the government can fix anything, from a terrible business idea to research that the market did not wish to have in the first place.

Exactly, quite many members here do not even have the most basic understanding of the world -- they are like mindless NPCs that believe the current thing and that governments can or should do various things. Government as a service provider is one of the worst things that has happened to humanity, it is the most inefficient and worst system that exists -- most of its employees represent the worst of the worst that a country has to offer, the least competent, laziest and least educated workers who don't care at all about anything since their job is secure. If you have any system where firing people is difficult (I am looking at EU retards), then the companies or institutions become bureaucratic behemoths full of people who do not contribute almost anything at all to the system. How many times I have observed government employees in various positions relating to computer work, I could replace at least 10 of them working with my left hand and I'd do a better and faster job.

Is been ages since the European Left us to our Faith and up till now w still keep blaming them for Africa underdevelopment where's the real problem is internal crisis, like I side no region in the world is as blessed as Africa but we have the culture of only having a bad leader, our leaders don't care about infrastructural development they are more inclined with election and it other activities instead focusing on the job, being productive and avoidance of possible blame games like shifting blames.

People from play the victim are just uneducated and lowlife cowards. Europe helped Africa a lot despite the damage that it has caused and is not at fault at all for whatever is going on there right now. The fault lies with the leadership and people, not with the past.

[Emjay24]

One of the disease eating up Africa's development was the brainwashed the European slave masters gave to them about school. They were taught how to read and write what the Europeans wrote,no skills attached,no knowledge just know how to read and write. Today, the world has gone beyond you just acquiring degrees to you acquiring skills and knowledge. The world economy is been revolutionized and Africa lacks the man power to do that . Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

Education is good, but the pattern of education practiced in Africa is filled with a lot of incompetence, it's not specialized, purely theoretical and almost no practical. Most time I don't blame the Europeans, I blame the African leaders who have done nothing to liberate their nations from the mediocrity of lack of specialization.

The world is advanced now, thank God for the internet and easy accessibility of information. Anyone who still depends on what they learn from school alone to make a living is a lazy minded person. We don't wait for the government anymore, they've failed and keep failing. You have to take upon your destiny in your own hands and strive for specialization in any chosen field through low cost or even free study-at-home courses available in bountiful quantities over the internet.

You still have opportunities to enroll under specialists and get more than enough practical knowledge that you so desire, Education doesn't stop at the four walls of a university, what is obtained there is general knowledge. You've to go the extra mile and put in extra efforts to attain specialization.

[Webutxo]

One of the disease eating up Africa's development was the brainwashed the European slave masters gave to them about school. They were taught how to read and write what the Europeans wrote,no skills attached,no knowledge just know how to read and write. Today, the world has gone beyond you just acquiring degrees to you acquiring skills and knowledge. The world economy is been revolutionized and Africa lacks the man power to do that . Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

What are you going to do if Mary Slesor didn't come and save Africa from killing of twins or do you want to say Aftica is better without European impact. As much you think Africa left it root for European lifestyle, there are many things Africa were doing that were wrong, I can mention many barbaric things that Africans were doing because of tradition, so inhumane but British and other people change Africa and even now, they are not better.

I will not say it's totally good too, there are many African people that have forgotten their home because they are used to west, they don't even remember where they are coming from and don't bother to come home. That's the same life some people are trying to leave now. They want to travel out to get educated and never return again but we can't blame them, if they have good opportunities, they will be African rooted and will not believe in What Europeans promised them. Let's start with our leadership first.

[gracreavix]

Degrees are not valuable as they use to be before. Skills is needed too and the schools we have still hasn't upgraded. Universities focuses more on theoretical learning rather than hands on training. It's sad that we have more people without skills. And skills is that drive the economy more.

Our educational system is in a mess. Funny enough the government knows and don't give a damn. And as for today, companies would rather employ someone with skills and no degree than someone with degree and no skills. The world we leave in today. And we are far left behind than ever. I am referring to Nigeria.

[bisdak40]

Degrees are not valuable as they use to be before. Skills is needed too and the schools we have still hasn't upgraded. Universities focuses more on theoretical learning rather than hands on training. It's sad that we have more people without skills. And skills is that drive the economy more.

Our educational system is in a mess. Funny enough the government knows and don't give a damn. And as for today, companies would rather employ someone with skills and no degree than someone with degree and no skills. The world we leave in today. And we are far left behind than ever. I am referring to Nigeria.

It is not just on Africa but also on my country where they value more people with degree over people that have the skills and knowledge on a certain field but without a degree. There is like a bias between people that finished school over those that do not. the most important is the skills and knowledge I hope that it will be more appreciated that these people will be also noticed and given opportunities also because this people will help also drive the economy.

[Salahmu]

It is not just on Africa but also on my country where they value more people with degree over people that have the skills and knowledge on a certain field but without a degree. There is like a bias between people that finished school over those that do not.

The way I see it is that graduates and those who do not go to school are different in all society and that's also how there Preferential acknowledgment from companies is, every company is aware that a lot of those non graduates are very skillful than most graduates but they always prefers those with degrees, perhaps because the knowledge of a non graduates skilful workers are only limited to a practical work but outside of the skill you cannot see any worth in them but however is actually contrary to someone with a degree because they can adapt to any face of the work both in theory and practical and could also fit in any part of the company.

[Iranus]

I keep repeating that Africa's biggest problem is corruption. How can we keep blaming Europeans who have left our continent for over fifty years for our educational woes? Africa has the resources to put in place the best modern educational institutions, but leaders prefer to steal the money for personal use. Meanwhile, they send their children and relatives to European and American schools to get a good education. 



Fortunately, the barrier to accessing quality education has been broken down by the internet. I don't need to travel to the US or Europe to gain knowledge. With a small device like a smartphone, I can gain a world-class education.

Many African economies still depend heavily on Europe. First, much of their investment and development aid still come from the EU.

Secondly, the majority of Africa's exported raw materials still have to go through European companies and are subject to prices determined by the European market.

Thirdly, many African countries still borrow in Euros or USD, leaving their fiscal policies tied to the conditions set by creditors.
It is no coincidence that the concepts of neocolonialism and neo imperialism are often mentioned when discussing economic relations between Africa and Europe.

[Jasmyne]

One of the disease eating up Africa's development was the brainwashed the European slave masters gave to them about school. They were taught how to read and write what the Europeans wrote,no skills attached,no knowledge just know how to read and write. Today, the world has gone beyond you just acquiring degrees to you acquiring skills and knowledge. The world economy is been revolutionized and Africa lacks the man power to do that . Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

It is actually not a bad thing the European introduced school, which is very vital and education is needed and important in our life. Education doesn’t stop one from acquiring a skill, as most people who are educated still acquired skill too.
The issue of unemployment after schooling is not only the problem of African countries, other continents have similar issues too and I’m very sure this issues are mostly caused by the government when they fail to create more job opportunities to empower youths.

[tygeade]

This is true for the whole world and I think diploma means something else than what people think. You go to college because it's a life experience that you need, not because you should, but because you could. College is a period in your life, where you learn and grow and be an adult, from a high school kid when you are entering, to an adult ready to start working, you need that college to make it healthy transition.

It gives you 4 years of slow and steady adulthood lessons. Doesn't matter what you are studying, that's the end goal, to take you as a kid, and leave you as an adult.

People who have not gone to college and started working straight out of high school will tell you that it's a lot harder, because you are thrown to the real world at 18, and that's too early to start and if you have to, because of financial reasons, you do it, and sometimes you gain a lot from it, but if you could avoid it, then you should avoid it and go to college, it's easier and simpler for your mind.

[Youngrebel]

Having a degree is important but it doesn't mean that it is everything that should be looked at, the reason why we have a lot of unprofessional people working in different sectors is because they got the jobs with their certificate. Take the field of engineering as an example there are people that got contracts with their degree but ended up building a structure that collapsed, just because they graduated from school doesn't mean that they are sound or skilled enough to get certain jobs but it's sad that it would always be a system.