Woes of young people after completing secondary school

By Brian Phiri

  “We were desperate to leave high school and go on a quest to find jobs,” said a group of grade twelve school leavers. “Now that our results are out, we are jobless and we are now desperate to go to college and university, but without money it is 100% impossible for us to do so,” they further said.

After writing their final secondary school leaving examinations in November 2012, many school leavers are now roaming the streets complaining that there is no employment in the country. The school leavers said they have so far written applications to various companies and co-operations to be sales representatives, receptionists, secretaries and even general workers but all this has proved futile. The school leavers said they need employment in order to serve money for university and college expenses.

Other school leavers said government bursaries are also very few and only cater for those with very high marks. Others say they no longer want to depend on their parents or guardians to continue paying school fees for them through university or college while for others, their parents or guardians are not able to raise money required for them to pursue tertiary or university education.

“I have just been home, sleeping and eating for over 5 months since I wrote my grade 12 exams. I have applied for work at over 5 companies and all they have told me is that they need a university degree, certificate or diploma,” 17 year old, Jack Mwaba of Mtendere. Jack further said it was discouraging to know that even a job as sales attendant, receptionist, and general working requires qualifications such as degrees or certificate.

“How can we go to college or university without money? That money can only be earned by doing a particular job, but because unemployment levels are high, very few of us will be able to make it to university or college or even get employed,” lamented Twaambo Saili.

Others spoken to attributed the lack of employment to nepotism, tribalism and corruption across the country. They said that in order for one to get a job in some companies, somebody they know has to work there, or they have to give some money to those offering the employment or one has to be of the same tribe or creed with their prospective employer to get a normal and stable job. The Children’s News Agency with support from European Union.