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

[Iamgoat]

Now to be able to grow and compete companies need to change the system of receiving employees to focus more on what applicants can offer rather than setting specific requirements through a diploma. Governments and companies need to be open to non-formal talent, there are many people with above-average skills who are able to make a big contribution to the company.
Of course, this does not mean that diplomas are not important, there are still companies that must set standards but portions and criteria that must be balanced in accepting applicants.

You are not far from the truth. I feel like we should shift from more about degrees to be more about one's experience and skill tests and after your skill has been tested the next thing which is supposed to be done is certified certification of the skill. It is this certifications now can be used to set those requirements instead of just the degree. I understand the whole idea behind having the degree is for two reasons, reason number one is to reduce or narrow the number of applicants to a reasonable extent and the second is to validate the persons background of study which sometimes is not really necessary as your background of study does not make you any better than someone in the field unless if the person has been able to master or grinded their backgrounds too.

[CageMabok]

I don't think this is only Africa's problem. Many developing countries also place too much value on certificates instead of practical skills and experience. At the same time, education is still very important because it gives people knowledge and helps them develop their abilities. The best approach is to combine both education and practical skills, because having one without the other may not be enough to succeed.

This is true and very much a reality in life: if someone only has one, it will be difficult for them to succeed in their field. Furthermore, certificates or diplomas only prove that someone has received education in a particular field, while practical experience itself must be continually honed, both during and after education. And there's one more thing that can make it easier for anyone to find a job in today's environment: internal contacts or the network of friends we've built before we start looking for work. Because experience and educational certificates can still be hindered by this in today's world, they are still needed by everyone, even though they are ranked third after experience and educational certificates.

[DrBeer]

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.

A simple question: How can you impart knowledge if a person cannot read or write? How will they receive and exchange information? It seems to me that education is the foundation for acquiring knowledge later on. Can you describe a situation where an illiterate person is immediately shown, for example, how to operate complex equipment or participate in company processes?

Regarding the workforce, I definitely disagree here. I’ll give you an example I’ve mentioned before—it comes from a personal conversation I had with a representative of an African country at an event I attended. He runs a fairly large business, so he’s someone who understands the situation. I asked him: "Why don’t you accept money from international organizations for investments, but instead accept money for food and humanitarian aid?". This is despite the fact that for many decades, billions have been flowing into African countries from various funds as aid.

It makes sense to invest in building up the economy, which would create jobs, generate tax revenue, and… supply domestic markets with food, medicine, and consumer goods.

Do you know what the answer was? "THAT’S NOT IN ANYONE’S INTEREST!" I stared at him in utter disbelief, completely baffled by the answer. He smiled and explained: "It’s more profitable for us to receive the money,  our government officials and their cronies ‘skim off’ a huge portion of it through corruption schemes. The population is content—they don’t have to do anything, and you’re constantly being thrown some kind of aid"
But if we build plants and factories, there won’t be any shortages, there won’t be these funds, and there won’t be any opportunity to steal from them....
 
Maybe the problem isn’t that people are being taught to read and write?

[goldkingcoiner]

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.

How is reading and writing not considered a skill/knowledge?  

You undererstimate how important that skill is. And you underestimate the valuable knowledge you get in school/university. The real problem is that there is not much opportunity in most parts of Africa to excercise those skills but the knowledge gained can be greatly used to one's advantage.

You keep blaming a certain part of history for ALL modern failures of Africa. You see the problem with this, no? How long will this last until it becomes embarressing to say? 20 more years? 50? 100? 200?

[Jubilee58]

Acquisition of academic knowledge is good, and acquiring skills or vocational training is equally good, and the combination of these two will make you very fit to survive no matter how tough an economy might be.
Education has it's own role in the economy, for instance when it comes to leadership or administration, even in a company such position is more suitable for someone with academic qualification, otherwise the system will likely be messed up as a result of academic incapabilities, and when you acquire skills, and knowledge, you also create value for yourself, and this values actually attract money, enable you to survive so easily.

Academic qualification is good, but to be completely fit to survive in the economy, you need some skills, and extra knowledge, and do not completely rely on your academic qualification because it might not completely give you what you want.

In our societies today, their are many graduates out there with good academic qualification, but there is no job provision for every graduate, and the economy has become so competitive that people with added knowledge also has added advantage in looking for job, so if your degree cannot give you a job, your skill, and knowledge will definitely will.

[IceLincoln]

One merits to you OP for this your post because, you summarize everything about the educational system in most African countries even though it's not all African countries that practice this type of education system. Most African schools only teach and draw the parts of insects and Animals on the black board for their students to memorize so that, they can use it and pass exam when asked as a question.


I am one of those who strongly believe that, one of the reasons why African countries still largely dependent on the first world countries for virtually everything that they wants is because of the lack of vocational education. African government should prioritize giving their citizens skill based education system that will impact their students skills just like China is doing to their citizens.

It’s been 16days and you’ve still not given OP his one merit….. 😏 Just a friendly reminder.

It’s not just an African issue but it’s majorly in Africa. I mean we still have schools who are still using an old scheme of work which was created in the 90s to run a school in this modern world.
I think Education is the training of the mind to think, it goes beyond reading and writing. Most of these issues is because people are so streamlined to a certain pattern that they don’t think outside the box. Which is why We aren’t producers or manufacturers of many things, just majorly consumers.
I’m happy now that people are beginning to be more creative and think outside the box now in my country what holds us back is bad leaders who are only after their personal gains and not the greater good.

[Mate2237]

It’s been 16days and you’ve still not given OP his one merit….. 😏 Just a friendly reminder.

Smile  . Done. Thanks for the reminder.

[Cookdata]

Acquisition of academic knowledge is good, and acquiring skills or vocational training is equally good, and the combination of these two will make you very fit to survive no matter how tough an economy might be.
Education has it's own role in the economy, for instance when it comes to leadership or administration, even in a company such position is more suitable for someone with academic qualification, otherwise the system will likely be messed up as a result of academic incapabilities, and when you acquire skills, and knowledge, you also create value for yourself, and this values actually attract money, enable you to survive so easily.

Anyone that has degree and streetwise will tell you to get a degree but will still tell you to get a skill, it's like killing two birds with one hand. It's the best thing that befit the African economy, alot of inconsistency is going in the economy and the disappointment is worse than then. As good as some professionals looks in some part of Africa, you can finish a degree and masters and still not bag a job, it's because of this disappointment people recommend to get job instead of going through all these years of study only to start skill later, depression might take your life. 

In our societies today, their are many graduates out there with good academic qualification, but there is no job provision for every graduate, and the economy has become so competitive that people with added knowledge also has added advantage in looking for job, so if your degree cannot give you a job, your skill, and knowledge will definitely will.

Other than looking for the degree alone, it's advantage if you have a skilled and a good certificate, there are people with computer science and cyber securities that have gotten job through their skills and are not even related to what they study in school. For example, everybody can become a website developer but not even one have the related official certificate, most of them have only certifications through online schools. If priority comes, it does favour a person with school degree with skills than a person with only skills.

[Nothingtodo]

This is not just an African problem, it is now a global problem in various countries where certificates are given more importance than skills and practical knowledge. In my country, the best certificate is evaluated in the selection of teachers in schools and colleges. In our country, certificates are given more importance than experience in Rice Research Center and Sky Research Center. Here, in the recruitment of skilled manpower, they resort to corruption, that is, students with skilled and experienced practical knowledge remain unemployed and those who have only obtained certificates are appointed to jobs. In this way, qualified and talented, skilled and well-rounded students in our country are excluded from any recruitment, as a result of which they are completely separated from real education. In this way, in our country, generally, talented and skilled students are excluded and only unskilled and certificate holders are evaluated, because the country is today in a difficult economic situation and is plagued by all kinds of problems.

[Yorubek]

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.

In the current world, having a degree is worth less if one does not have practical experience. No work can be done in reality with just rote knowledge. And this situation has been practiced in Africa for a long time, as a result, skilled human resources have not been created in that way. If changes are not made in the education system, then the population of the countries in this region can not become resources, though in the current situation, it is not possible quickly.

The education system must be changed as soon as possible. A person does not get any benefit from being educated in the old style of education. If one cannot be educated in modern education, then one will be far behind the developed countries of the world. While others are adapting themselves to new technologies, Africans are still memorizing what they have read in books. In this situation, the development of the country is not possible. It is not that everyone on this continent is in the same situation. There are many who have left the country and settled abroad. If the country is to improve, they will have to improve themselves with the education of the modern world. Those who are talented must be given an environment to do good things in the country. If ordinary people can acquire proper education and become skilled, then that education will be useful for the development of the people and the country.

[citywise2]

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.

After almost a century since the Europeans left and handed power to one of you and you are still citing that as your excuse for whatsoever that is bedevilling your continent, think again! Here is what your problem really is - across board almost all the leader from Africa ought to be in prison, they are corruption personified and they care less about the people and country they rule. Same African youths land in oversea countries and they become one of the very best, what do you think changed?

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.

I agree with you, there is no contradiction that education is the ultimate and that's what the Europeans gave to Africa. Africa's undoing lies on the fact that they stopped at education thinking it is power while letting go the application of it. Their poor leadership are busy stealing Africa silly while bothering next to nothing about the developments of the state. Of course, they are far from the Philosopher king stipulated by Plato and the result is what it is.

[pawanjain]

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.

I don't think that's limited to Africa alone. I think some other countries also face a similar situation.
In my country, they have been teaching the same thing for over a decade without updating the syllabus.
Teachers are using the same teaching techniques while the rest of the world is upgrading some countries are still lagging behind the same old methods.
Education is something that should keep upgrading every year and they should let their students focus on skills and talent as well.

[Audrey Simmons]

I don't think that's limited to Africa alone. I think some other countries also face a similar situation.
In my country, they have been teaching the same thing for over a decade without updating the syllabus.
Teachers are using the same teaching techniques while the rest of the world is upgrading some countries are still lagging behind the same old methods.
Education is something that should keep upgrading every year and they should let their students focus on skills and talent as well.

Over some decades ago, education was the main deal, access to education up to tertiary level was difficult for most families, and getting a job or attaining certain promotions demanded that you have a better educational qualification than others. While countries are advancing and begin to see life from a different dimension, Africans or some countries are still behind, relying on the same effort that was used over decades without plans to change into something new.

For the same reasons why Africans are still technologically behind, the world has grown beyond education alone. The world is moving in a direction where talent, skills, and technology are controlling the order, anybody behind is likely the one to lose.

[Localhostspeed]

I agree with you, there is no contradiction that education is the ultimate and that's what the Europeans gave to Africa. Africa's undoing lies on the fact that they stopped at education thinking it is power while letting go the application of it. Their poor leadership are busy stealing Africa silly while bothering next to nothing about the developments of the state. Of course, they are far from the Philosopher king stipulated by Plato and the result is what it is.

If there is one thing I love to admit, it is the fact that Africans love to play victims mentality. If you go to other countries that value educations and degree, it still doesn't not guarantee that you are going to be employed with the degree you have in school but you may have a job with a skill. If there are jobs for everyone, I don't think skills will be thought by same people that leaves in those places, there is unemployment in other countries like they are in Africa.

One thing I know been African is that you can have degree, have the skills and still have no jobs this is because jobs are hard in general. Many people that got skills in digital marketing, YouTube videos, Ux design and website creators does not target Africa for job, they mostly apply for other jobs from other places through the internet before they can do the job. The problem is the system we practice in Africa is affecting us all including bad leadership.

[JoyceBTC]

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.

We the viewers are actually the ones that appreciated this things, we find interest in this things, which has made a lot of this creators gain lot of engagement and likes to earn money. Educational and impactful videos, most people don’t find it interesting or entertaining and this set of videos gets low engagement, so we keep encouraging things like that.

[Mayor of ogba]

You may think that it's only in Africa that degree alone isn't enough to guarantee you a job but this scenario is happening across the seven continents. The world is no longer the way it used to be a lot of things has changed, establishments across the world don't want to employ people who have degree alone; they want to employ people who will be able to do different tasks, like having a degree and a high demanding skill, and if you don't fall in this category it will be difficult for you to get a good paying job.

[citywise2]

You may think that it's only in Africa that degree alone isn't enough to guarantee you a job but this scenario is happening across the seven continents. The world is no longer the way it used to be a lot of things has changed, establishments across the world don't want to employ people who have degree alone; they want to employ people who will be able to do different tasks, like having a degree and a high demanding skill, and if you don't fall in this category it will be difficult for you to get a good paying job.

I quite agree with you on that, degree alone can no longer guarantee a job not only in Africa but also anywhere else across the globe. Times are hard and technologies have improved especially in the developed countries, some work are now taken over by robots so it is not just an African thing. People need to move with time, acquire new skills that would make them viable in needed in today's work place.

[ruykeri]

You may think that it's only in Africa that degree alone isn't enough to guarantee you a job but this scenario is happening across the seven continents. The world is no longer the way it used to be a lot of things has changed, establishments across the world don't want to employ people who have degree alone; they want to employ people who will be able to do different tasks, like having a degree and a high demanding skill, and if you don't fall in this category it will be difficult for you to get a good paying job.

I agree with you. What will companies do with  degree if the person cannot do the work or responsibility given to him properly? A person has many degrees and is educated, but another person does not have much educational qualification but is quite skilled and experienced. The company benefits by hiring an experienced and skilled person in the company. The company benefits by having him work. Now the skilled person is more important to the company. He will be given a higher salary and more opportunities. That is why I think that degree is important but the need for skill is even greater. Maybe some jobs require certification for application, in that case papers may be required. But to move forward in the work, you have to move forward with your own skills. So, a student should develop all kinds of skills in himself while studying. As a result, it will be much easier for him to get a job.

[Crypto_Timothy]

Africans just attend universities to learn  more than what they learnt in primary and secondary schools.

Like imagine going through secondary school to university and each time they talk about a chemical or tool in class it is always just theory and you never actually get to see the materials and some cases if you see it, you will be like 50 persons to like 3.
See, if you go to a school that mixes theory with enough practical, their students will always perform better, like how can I be offering computer science as course and my lecturer is grading me on paper, like how does that even make sense? But then that's the education system in my country, even this current set of students the are writing exams right now, they are using paper as 400 Level computer science students, it's so crazy man.

[abaeze]

Students go to university to learn more than what is taught in primary and secondary schools. Because universities are institutions of higher knowledge, research, critical thinking and the creation of new knowledge. But today, when compared with European and colonial education, there are huge differences.

In that time under their rule, the purpose of education in many African regions was to produce a limited number of workers for their administration, religious institutions and colonial economies. As a result, education in many areas was not sufficiently linked to real production, technology, industry and research. As a result, we are still colonized after hundreds of years, and it is a never-ending process.

Today's problem is not only the problem of degrees but also in many African countries, even though graduates come out of universities, their skills do not match the job demand in the labor market. On the other hand, there is a demand for skilled workers in almost every field such as: agriculture and technology, manufacturing, software, healthcare, engineering, logistics, etc.Therefore, even if African people have degrees, they are not producing a skilled workforce to work.