UNECA urges Africa to improve quality of basic education to ensure skilled workforce
UNECA urges Africa to improve quality of basic education to ensure ... Xinhua
sdgtalks
The Importance of Improving Basic Education in Africa
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has emphasized the need for Africa to enhance the quality of basic education in order to develop a skilled workforce that can create more and better jobs, thus driving economic transformation on the continent.
The Challenge of Youth Employment in Africa
According to Sweta Saxena, the acting director of UNECA’s Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division, creating suitable jobs for the youth is one of the biggest challenges facing policymakers in Africa. Saxena highlighted that a growing young and working-age population requires job opportunities in order for Africa to benefit from a demographic dividend and achieve its development aspirations.
The Lack of Adequate Skills in Africa
Saxena pointed out that Africa faces challenges in providing jobs for its youth due to the lack of adequate skills among the young population. UNECA data reveals that nearly a quarter of children enrolled at the primary level do not complete their education, and less than 50 percent of young boys and girls complete lower secondary education. In comparison, South Asia and Latin American countries have an average completion rate of around 80 percent.
The Impact of Low-Quality Education
Saxena stated that the quality of education in Africa is also very low, resulting in young people entering the formal labor market with few employable skills. This explains why nearly 90 percent of youth start their working life in informal employment, and why almost a quarter of businesses cite a lack of skilled workers as one of their main constraints.
Addressing Unemployment and Misallocation of Resources
UNECA highlights the challenge of trained individuals in Africa ending up unemployed or working in unrelated fields or immigrating to other countries. This misallocation of resources is detrimental to African countries. To address this issue, UNECA recently hosted a two-day experts group meeting to review the key findings of a draft report titled “Jobs in Africa or Jobs for Africans.” The aim of the report is to inform and stimulate debate, contribute to better policies, facilitate further research, and identify knowledge and data gaps.
The Role of Properly Managed Migration
According to UNECA, properly managed migration presents an immense opportunity for alleviating the challenge of job shortages for skilled workers in Africa, benefiting all parties involved.
Rethinking Education for a Skilled Workforce
Saxena emphasized that creating a skilled workforce requires improvements in both access to and quality of basic education. She called for a rethinking of education under a new social contract.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education | – Percentage of children enrolled at the primary level who complete primary education – Percentage of young boys and girls who complete lower secondary education |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training | – Percentage of youth in formal employment – Percentage of businesses naming lack of skilled workers as a constraint |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | – Number of skilled workers migrating from Africa – Number of trained people ending up unemployed or working in unrelated areas |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article highlights the need for Africa to improve the quality of basic education to ensure a skilled workforce. It mentions the low completion rates for primary and secondary education in Africa compared to South Asia and Latin American countries. This connects to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses the challenge of creating suitable jobs for Africa’s youth and the lack of adequate skills among the young population. It mentions that a large percentage of youth start their working life in informal employment, and businesses often face a lack of skilled workers. These issues are connected to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article mentions the misallocation and waste of resources when trained people in Africa end up unemployed or working in unrelated areas. It also highlights the potential benefits of properly managed migration for alleviating job shortages for skilled workers. These issues relate to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:
Target under SDG 4: Quality Education
- By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
Target under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
Target under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
Indicators for SDG 4: Quality Education
- Percentage of children enrolled at the primary level who complete primary education.
- Percentage of young boys and girls who complete lower secondary education.
Indicators for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Percentage of youth in formal employment.
- Percentage of businesses naming lack of skilled workers as among the main constraints.
Indicators for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Number of skilled workers migrating from Africa.
- Number of trained people ending up unemployed or working in areas unrelated to their training.
The article provides information on the low completion rates for primary and secondary education, the high percentage of youth starting their working life in informal employment, and the challenges faced by businesses due to a lack of skilled workers. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education | – Percentage of children enrolled at the primary level who complete primary education – Percentage of young boys and girls who complete lower secondary education |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training | – Percentage of youth in formal employment – Percentage of businesses naming lack of skilled workers as among the main constraints |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | – Number of skilled workers migrating from Africa – Number of trained people ending up unemployed or working in areas unrelated to their training |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: english.news.cn
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
