Introduction
Education is the Key to Success, that is what I see on a lot
of exercise books I come across. In other parts of the earth, education is
considered something more than just going to school, but in Ghana, education is
seen as the key to a better life. Let me tell you, people have been to schools
and yet they do not know how to climb the success ladder.
John Dewey defined education as the process of living and not a preparation for future living. Plato also defined education as the process of turning the soul towards light, and UNESCO defined education as a fundamental human right and the foundation for sustainable development. Among all these, another great leader, Nelson Mandela, defined education as the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
How will you also define education? Well, you may as well
have your opinion on what education is. But in Ghana, parents sacrifice everything
they have to put their wards through school with the hope that someday, they will become
great ministers, pilots, and soldiers, like they see on the news. Like my own
mother, she had to sell her jewelry and an acre of land to foot my bills when I was
in the university. In this part of the world, students have to endure and take upon
themselves years of exams. My friend, University and Tertiary Students
walk across the stage to graduate every year with visions
and plans, some not even knowing the next move to make or where to go from
there. Here is the big question: What happens to the graduate after the graduation
gown comes off? How does the system really work for Ghanaian students who are
going into the Job Market?
How is the foundation laid and the stage set?
In Ghana, a child’s education begins very early. From basic
school through SHS and into tertiary institutions, the students spend an average
of 16-18 years in formal education. I have been in this field of education
before, so I know what I am talking about. The expectation in the system is
clear: study hard, pass your exams, and make the best grades.
The foundation of the Ghanaian Education system is focused
on exams and grades. From BECE to WASSCE to University Final Exams and wearing of a gown. A few private schools offer career counselling, and many students select programs without fully understanding their benefits and how they will help them in the job
market. Many parents push their wards to choose courses that have big names
like law, engineering, and medicine, even when the wards' strengths are somewhere
else. This is true because I have come across a lot of students and colleagues who have different talents and gifts with unique passions, but are reading subjects they find challenging.
Think of my cousin Ama, who was an intelligent girl and loved
drawing, but was pressured into studying accounting because her father was an accountant and felt
that was where the job was. Today, Ama struggles to find fulfilment in the path
her father had chosen for her.
The Reality After Graduation
On my part, I did not partake in graduation after completing
my final exams. I had only wanted to go for my certificates because I did not
see the essence in wearing the gown and taking a photo just to post on my status
or add to my collection of photo albums, which I did not even have. From my
personal thoughts and opinions about life, I saw it as a waste of capital. I did
not want to fit into the system or behave like everyone else does; I just wanted to
be unique in my own sense. But then, please do not get me wrong, graduations
are lovely, filled with excitement and joy. Caps fly in the air, families
cheer, and dreams seem to come true just for a day, and the celebration lasts for a few
more hours, and then the day comes to a close. Soon after this, reality sets
in.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (2023), youth employment among graduates stands at 12%. So, my dearest reader, where are the 88%? Employers will often complain that graduates lack practical skills and abilities to solve problems. Also, every graduate must go through National Service, which is meant to put together school and work.
The sad truth from my own experience is that many of the
NSS personnel end up in offices photocopying papers instead of acquiring skills
that will make them ready for the Job Market.
My friend Kwame did computer science in school, completed
his National Service at a government office as a data entry clerk, and, surprisingly, after a year, he is still searching for a job in IT, where thousands of applicants are applying for the same job position.
Why does the System Feel Broken?
Here is what I learned from some of my lectures about why
the system feels broken.
👉Universities focus more on theories instead of practicals.
👉There are too many graduates in the job market who are going after white collar jobs instead of establishing one.
👉The Ghanaian success ladder is all about whom you know, not what you know
👉The lack of finance to start a business is a common problem.
What can students and graduates do differently?
I will advise students and graduates with just a few advice.
👉Try to build your own skills during school, not after school.
👉Learn real-world experiences because they matter more than perfect grades, and make sure to perfect both.
👉Have a relationship with mentors and mentees so they will advise and guide you
👉The dream job may not come immediately, and sometimes the side hustle becomes the main hustle
My final thoughts
So here’s my question to you:
👉Are graduates lazy, or is
the system that is failing them?
👉Should universities focus more on theory or practice?
