Written by TOSIN OSEMEOBO
Education has no universally acceptable definition; it is a concept defined in many ways. Some see it as the acquisition of certain behavioral characteristics; such as skills attitudes, beliefs, logical reasoning, knowledge and other traits, which will enable one to adjust and interact effectively with others in the society. This is the process of schooling the mind to think logically in order to solve certain problems confronting humanity.
We live in a fast changing world, a time when it is only the quality of insight and information available to a person, which will determine the depth of transformation achievable. This is when education becomes inevitable. By potential education, I mean a kind of educational setting that will help unveil certain potentials, develop those that are dormant and instill new ones. Largely, 70 to 80% of the population in schools (secondary and tertiary) is youths. If this hypothetical assumption is correct then you will agree with me that a vote for education is a vote for the youth. A focus on education will automatically be a focus on the youths.
Education for the past few decades has been proven universally as essential to the developmental progress and advancement of any nation; as a result, it plays a crucial role in the growth and development of other sectors of the economy.
The youths are the force of change, when the educational sector of a nation is vibrant; it unveils their potentials, helps to develop their skills and in turn aids the development of that country. This is because the youths are the most energetic working class in any country. That is why their education is important for nation building. In a recent survey by youth organizations around the world, young people were asked to list their major concerns in life and they
Identified them as follows:
1. Early marriage
2. Drug abuse
3. Family problems
4. STDs
5. Lack of opportunities
6. Unemployment
7. Inadequate education
8. Poor empowerment and skill development
These concerns are categorized into three;
1. Social issues.
2. Educational prospects.
3. Skill and unemployment issues.
Taking for instance the contribution of the youths to fight hunger as a form of potential education, this depends on just their sheer weight of number, their early openness to new ideas, pragmatic views, illustrations, personal ambitions and interest, sense of worth, responsibility and adding of value to humanity. All these and more make participation effective and result oriented.
One important thing a country can do for its overall development is to invest in educational empowerment and skill development thereby creating opportunities that will be available, accessible and affordable to all. We cannot deny the fact that thousands of young people in Nigeria live in rural areas, they are illiterate and they lack adequate opportunity for enlightenments that will empower their potentials. Major problems facing these country are severe in the rural areas were education and health facilities are poor, jobs and other useful opportunities are limited.
If the government will address these issues, the youths will be able to fulfill their potentials, play an active role in local resources, implement local programs, gain access to formal education, explore urban technology to their advantage, develop insight which will make them fit into lucrative opportunities and help them compete with their counterparts in the world.
These will have a resultant effect on their own future which is inevitably the future of the nation.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The government should provide financial allocations (capital) to support local enterprises and create employment programs for the youths. They should support co-operative schemes and youth development banks, involving young people in designing and implementing voluntary service programs for their localities. They should establish skill acquisition centers. Build more schools with subsidized fees. Healthcare centers with free treatment for minor ailments, good roads and rural electrification. These will attract local agricultural investors and bring large market to the farmers. Scholarship should be given to students on merit.
Finally, NGOs can bridge the gap between rural illiteracy and urban intelligence. This is imperative because the youths are the future of any nation.
TRENOON
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