Be Job Creators, Students Advised

IT has been observed that the white-collar-job oriented education has crippled the thinking ability of graduates who could prosper through self employment if prepared sufficiently.

This was said by the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation, Mr Uledi Mussa speaking at the second East African Business School Forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

 "I urge you to think beyond expectations of government employment. Re-adjustment of the teaching curriculum is necessary to accommodate entrepreneurial studies for self employment.

He said the high unemployment rate remained a public concern adding that the government is serious about finding lasting solution. A student from Mzumbe University, Morogoro campus Ms Catherine Temu proposed a review of the education syllabi to help expand horizons among graduates as has been the case in other parts of the world.

"Our neighbours, Kenya and Uganda have made progress. We (Tanzania) need to double our efforts. Awareness creation and the building of confidence and skills among students will make a difference," Ms Temu said.

Mr Denis Shamala, a student from United States International University in Nairobi spoke well about government's initiative starting from organising such forums for stakeholders to share views and propose on the way forward.

He said the advantage of self employment includes effective utilisation of skills gained in the course of studies and aptitude. The East African Business Schools Forum meets annually to discuss various issues facing the community especially the youths and education in general. This year the theme is "Education System in East Africa and the Need to Prepare Students for Self Employment"