The Education ministry has received the highest sums of money in the national budget since independence, thus creating an opportunity for many to have the chance to learn.
But with all this high percentage of literacy, our country has the highest number of unemployed graduates. No one wants to take responsibility for this very difficult situation. At independence in 1980, our country had one of the strongest economies and our education sector was admired by many on the African continent. But as the political situation deteriorated with rampant corruption among top civil servants, all economic and social pillars, including education plummeted leaving Zimbabwe in the mess it finds itself today. It is very sad that our highly educated and skilled are now being forced to cross crocodile-infested rivers in the dead of the night to look for employment in neighbouring countries.Why are we educating all these people when they are not going to put into practice what they have learned? Examples abound of people with specialised degrees working in totally different areas; someone with an honours degree in computer sciences can be found working as a shop assistant. People have no option — they just take-up whatever comes along. Should we talk of having more universities in every province when we have created a country of educated people who are unemployed? The mounting social problems such as theft, drug peddling and prostitution all have something to do with unemployment. The trauma of being unemployed drives even the strong-hearted to indulge in anti-social practices. Our students are not being trained for guaranteed employment in all sectors while we tend to concentrate on things like religious studies, international relations, politics etc.While some countries are setting up policies that are conducive for economic development thus creating jobs for its graduates, Zimbabwe alienates investment by its political radicalism. What we need are technical colleges and more investment that creates employment. The many colleges that have emerged are after making money regardless of whether the students they train get employment or not.
Irvine Mugwagwa
