The most important resource of a country is its next generation. No matter how much natural wealth a country has or how strong a position the country possesses in international finance, without a competent younger generation to take things forward, none of these factors are beneficial.
As such, the Prime Minister’s call to arms for the youth to build themselves up for the challenges of tomorrow, with special emphasis on the acquiring of technological knowledge given the realities of the coming fourth industrial revolution, is pertinent and well-timed.
In recent years, the authorities have made strides when it comes to improving the education sector of the country. From making it easier to obtain a primary education to showing ambition of investment in the educational sector, the authorities have definitely proved that when it comes to the future of the nation, they are serious about improving things.
The authorities’ focus on start-ups is also praiseworthy. Numerous grants and funding opportunities made available by the government have made it possible for young entrepreneurs to launch their businesses and change the face of the financial landscape of the country.
However, given the fact that our curricula still have gaps, such as the failure to include coding and more future-appropriate skills as a compulsory subject in the primary education syllabus, it quickly becomes apparent that more needs to be done.
This is especially important given private entities have stepped up in this area and have been offering coding lessons to children as young as six, so there can be no excuses from the government about the feasibility of undertaking such projects.
A call to action is only a starting point. Relevant ministries have to take this call to heart and start work on revamping the curricula. There have been recent complaints that the education sector is hurting for funds -- a complaint that needs to be properly investigated and addressed.
We definitely have a willing and eager youth population who can make something special out of our country. Let’s make sure we have the necessary facilities to properly utilize that.
