DOES MENTORSHIP END AT SENIOR SIX?

 Over 70% of Uganda's population is below 30 years. Many people are young and they need guidance. To our surprise students will spend more time reading to pass on their own without seeking guidance from their teachers or career guidance masters. In schools career guidance is treated as a one time activity and that is where problems start from. Last year there was a student who is alleged to have committed suicide because her parents forced her to study courses she did not want. There is a lot of mental anguish in a young soul when they are not consulted on which courses or subjects they want to pursue. A human being is more complicated that we think. Imposing on them choices may destroy their potential for good.

Many times it is assumed that by senior six a student is "mature" enough to make their career decisions. In the end students will take the path of least resistance. They will choose courses that their favorite friends have told them. Others choose courses because of the "price". Others choose universities without adequate research about whether they are accredited by National Council for Higher Education or not. 

Without paying a lot of attention to mentorship there are students who get retakes in first year because they were not well guided on which courses to do and how to adjust to the university way of life. We need to know that a lot of freedom some times destroys. So if a student has been under a rules environment for over 15 years at primary and secondary level when they get a chance at university they are bound to make favorable decisions which at times are contrary to their long term interests. We have heard of cases of  drug abuse at university. We have witnessed students who divert tuition to gambling and they do not graduate.

The above discussions show us that mentorship does not end and should be prioritized at all levels of education and life in general.

HOW TO MENTOR YOUTHS 

1.It has to be prioritized at family level

2.Personal development should be emphasized at all levels of education

3.Youths should form Master Minds

4.Career guidance and mentorship should be prioritized at all levels of education.

5.More investment in career guidance as a conduit for personal and national transformation


Mentorship matters. Most successful people in the world attribute their success in life to their mentors. It should be prioritized in education institutions.


Phillip Kiryowa

Finance and Leadership Coach(PCC)

+256752615916

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