There were different kinds of scholarships provided for the students to enjoy, the kind of scholarship that has nothing to do with political propaganda or tribalism. Every student who is willing to acquire formal education is entitled to the scholarship, those were the days when education was totally free.
As a result of the funds provided, it was easier for students in higher institution to survive. He said during those days students were like kings specifically those in higher institution. In order for everyone to enjoy this benefits most teenagers strive to be a student. Apart from this, he said during those days during their graduation ceremony different companies would come from different states to employ young graduates. There was nothing like job hunting for students because it was jobs that was hunting students. This was not the first time I have heard about how the government supported the student in those days, but what do we have now?
As if surviving as a student wasn't bad enough, even after graduation we still have to search for jobs like our lives depends on it. How many of those companies come around to employ the student before they could step into the labour market. Probably because they no long have tfare to visit schools anymore which is fine, students still find their way to such companies only to realise the job has been secured for someone with connections.
I was privileged to work as a P.A for an auditor during my industrial training. I witnessed a scene that made me realise it is better to come up with a business than seek for jobs.They were few vacant position in this auditors firm so he decided to employ more staffs. He published vacancies in newspapers, the numbers of job seekers that came was so massive that we ran out of chairs. Just by looking at them I could see how desperate they were to get the job. The interview went on for about 4 days but what happened next was so funny.
Among the magnitude of interviewees that came for the interview only one was employed. This auditor gave out the remaining vacant positions to the children of his friends, those who never participated in the interview at all. They were just given the jobs like it was their birth right. This is the kind of fate that has been forced upon students of this present generation.
With job opportunities out of the option, there are two important benefit of degrees acquisition left standing, which is knowledge and recognition.
How do you define knowledge? Is it based on application or acquisition? Well let me ask again using a different approach, what value is acquisition of knowledge without applying it? This is what I find myself asking most people who considered themselves to be more educated, having numerous glittering accolades, honours and degrees to prove how knowledgeable they have become. Is that all there is? Is it the only thing that could serve as evidence of being knowledgeable? I tell you right here at this moment the answer is no. Currently my country is plagued with a category of people tagged as "Educated illiterate" does it not sound pitiful.
It turns out that for a generation that claims to have access to knowledge like ever before lacks the ability to put their knowledge to practice. I mean if you are indeed knowledgeable act like it. I wouldn't deny the fact our quest for knowledge has brought about all kinds of development in our society in every sector but in terms of ethics and morality I can't say we have gotten any far, in our quest to become more knowledgeable and bring about freedom from ignorance, we have become blinded to what actually matters, all that is left is greed for personal glory.
Do I feel there is more to be offered by the school system? definitely yes. For starters, why don't we trying bringing back the benefits of being a student in those days to help promote the significance of education. Which is kind of almost impossible because at the end it all, it comes down to the ability of the government to invest in the educational sector. A decision that could have been easily made if it weren't for the fact that corruption has invaded the minds of those expected to perform these duties.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled Still worth it in hive learners community.
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