Kate Griner
Ms. Bennett
2nd period WLH
March 2016
The Shortcomings of Schooling
A child who quits attending school is three times more likely to be HIV positive (Alyssa). Lack of education in Africa is a serious issue that has many negative ramifications. With so many uneducated, it is often quite difficult to find a job. And unemployment only exacerbates the problem. The main repercussions of Africa’s lack of education is that the frustration at not finding jobs can lead people to drug abuse or adolescent pregnancies. This is a common scene across most of Africa.
It is estimated that about 133 million young people (more than 50 per cent of the youth population) in Africa are illiterate (Youth). And yet, Africa's youth represent over 75% of the population. The basic knowledge that comes with being educated helps children and young adults develop lifelong skills like good decision making skills and proper communication skills. Many young people have little to no skills and are therefore largely excluded from productive economic and social life. Even Africans with some education often only acquire skills that remain irrelevant to the recent demands in the job market. The current labor market increasingly requires education and collaboration skills taught in schools, resulting in millions of unemployed and underemployed youth. This unemployment only leads to further issues.
One researcher for the BBC News interviewed a group of drug users, another prevalent consequence of unemployment, “Others tell me that the frustration of not finding jobs led them to drugs. ‘It is a scene common across the country, affecting tens of thousands of young people.’” (Maseko). One of the consequences of a lack of education is precisely this: that the frustration of unemployment leads many Africans into drug abuse. Furthermore, Drug Abuse has also been shown to lead to HIV, through shared needles or drug-induced decisions to practice unprotected sex. One user, Nomsa Mahlangu says “‘I need help; I'm desperate to stop but it's just so hard,’ with tears rolling down her chapped cheeks (Maseko). Nomsa is a common example of someone who wants to better her life, but in Africa the access to rehabilitation centers is low - and also very costly. Clearly having a lack of education has many potentially unforeseen consequences.
Another repercussion of lack of education is premature pregnancies. Africa has the world’s highest rates of adolescent pregnancies, a factor that affects the health, education, and the earning potential of millions of African girls, according to a report released last month by the United Nations Population Fund (Yeboah). In Africa, a lack of education about how to practice safe sex and a lack of education in general has been shown to lead to misinformed decisions and early pregnancies. And yet, women account for 2/3 of Africa's smallholder farmers (Yeboah).
But the root of these issues, illiteracy and lack of education in Africa, is not purely an issue without help or hope. In 1990 the adult literacy rate in all of Africa was 53%. In 2015 it is estimated to be 63%. In 1990 there were 133 million illiterate adults in sub-Saharan Africa, but by 2011 there were 182 million. (Annan). Clearly help is being given. It could be argued that what we have been doing to help is working. Now, the literacy rate is 70%.
Works Cited
Alyssa. "Facts About Education in Africa." Achieve in Africa.org. Wordpress, 28 Nov. 2012. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
Annan, Kofi. "African Library Project - Africa Facts." The African Library Project. Africa Library Project, 06 Sept. 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
Maseko, Nomsa. "South African Townships' Addictive Drug Cocktail - BBC News." BBC News. BBC World - Delmas, Africa, 18 Mar. 2015. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
Watkins, Kevin. "Too Little Access, Not Enough Learning: Africa's Twin Deficit in Education." The Brookings Institution. Brookings.edu, 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 08 Mar. 2016.
Yeboah, Stephen. "Africa Has World's Highest Rate of Adolescent Pregnancies, UNFPA SaysSharevar Addthis_config={"data_track_addressbar":false};." Africa Progress Panel. ©2016 Africa Progress Panel, 06 Nov. 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
"Youth Unemployment." - African Economic Outlook. © 2016 African Economic Outlook, 28 May 2015. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
I like how you clearly stated the impacts of the lack of education: drug abuse and early pregnancies. Through the article, I've developed an understanding of how this lack of education has cascading effects throughout African society, and it is an issue that must be addressed in order to begin Africa's rehabilitation process.
ReplyDeleteSince you talk about how no education leads to employment, how many jobs do not require an education? Is it not enough to employ a majority of Africans? And even with rising literacy rates, do you think that this job crisis will be completely solved?
I found it interesting that education continues to be a major issue throughout Africa and that a lack of education easily leads to drug abuse and premature pregnancies. I learned that a lack of education has severely impacted African society because drugs and sex are one's natural fallbacks when a successful future is unattainable.
ReplyDeleteTo those who are doing drugs and who are pregnant, what options do they have to be part of the growing literacy rate?