READING TO PASS EXAMS: A SILENT CANCER IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

A certain student fell sick when the lecturer pointed out that he was to give the class a test. I have heard a number of students stopping their colleagues from reading certain topics because they will not be "examined". This is equivalent to "gambling". A number of students "burn" their books after graduation . The exams based education system has been in Uganda for a long time and it will take some time to erase its effects on society. This is not to say that examining students to pass is bad. However the examination based system encourages students to cram concepts and pass. This means that a person's potential is based on the marks got from the exam. What if the teacher who marked that exam was sick or not in the right mood? Many students have missed out on their careers simply because they failed to acquire the required pass mark. If passing was the only route towards "success", how come most of the shops in Kikuubo (Kampala's Central Business District) are not owned by degree holders?

How come there are business administration students who "fear" to set up their own businesses yet they passed their courses highly? How come universities such as Makerere University put Aptitude tests for students who want to enroll for courses such as Law? Does this mean they do not trust the grading system of Uganda National Examinations Board?  I have seen students who have graduated and handed over their degrees to their parents so that they can pursue their "calling" . Isn't that a waste of time and resources? I have seen students at university who opt for courses because their "friends" have advised them that they are "easy and cheap". In the end they graduate and flood the market.

I have seen graduates who passed with "flying" colors fail to write an  application or a report. I have seen graduates who are called for capacity building workshops that are meant to sharpen their leadership skills that will shape their lives for the ever changing and complex job market demand for "transport allowance".

This is not to say that reading to pass exams is "bad" but we need to go beyond passing to applying the concepts learnt. How comes most youths are selling off their assets  such as land in the village to "invest "in gambling?. According to Ambrose Kibuuka in his book After University What Next?, he points out that there is no "bad degree". It is a matter of perspective that makes the degree meaningful. We have many leaders who have shaped the world who did not wait to get PHDs. They simply focused on their God given purpose. Most of the youths today want to find ready made jobs which are almost non existent. They fear to start from scratch. This is spoiling society because we are witnessing an increase in crime and drug abuse. Some youths are opting out school to make "quick money" .

Education is supposed to a tool for social transformation but not just a gateway for instant riches. We need to redefine our education system so that it transforms the inner values of the citizens. Today we have graduates who can not defend what they studied. Their only belief is that the "academic transcript" will bail them out. They do little to enhance their leadership and interpersonal skills. I have interacted with so many graduates who have no associations that they belong to yet it is a known fact that no person can get a job when they are living in isolation. Even the most prominent entrepreneurs in Kampala have a group called Bakwagalana group. It means we are too weak to work independently. So rather than create a generation of youths who are geared to compete for "academic grades", we need to encourage the youths to unite and discuss ideas that lead to social economic development.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

1. Career guidance at all levels is key.
2.Competency based curriculum is key
3.Parental guidance is key
4. Leadership development
5.Provision of soft loans for youth entrepreneurs is very important
6.Free financial literacy training 
7. Talent development such as Football and music
8. Promotion of voluntary work

Education is a tool of community transformation. Despite its benefits I have met graduates who are frustrated because they have failed to achieve their dreams. Is the problem with the education system or the underlying tenet of reading to pass? We need to combine efforts to ensure that the youths get the most of education as discussed above.

Phillip Kiryowa
 Finance and Leadership Coach ( CPC)
+256752615916
For Financial Freedom and Sustainable Businesses

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