Dear Editor,
Is it really worth being educated in Jamaica? This is a concern that has been since Jamaica was. The agonising cries of university graduates are unfading, as they are unable to secure employment. It hurts even more to know that the reason behind this is not a lack of qualifications, but a grave lack of opportunity.
How can an individual with a bachelor's degree be offered jobs for literally $190 and $210 per hour gross? That is absurd!
Too many university graduates are having the same complaint. The job opportunities that would utilise your qualifications are tagged with the constant three to five years of related experience. That too is simply incongruous. I left high school and went on to university, how does one attain years of experience outside of theoretical exposure within that time?
Employers evidently take advantage of the large job market and are therefore at liberty to ask whatever insuperable requirements for even mediocre-paying jobs. Additionally, some of these jobs subject the individual to heavy workloads laced with unreasonable targets.
Recently, the education minister had a brewing concern about the number of individuals leaving secondary schools without basic qualifications. Minister, it is high time you stop "majoring on the minor". Whilst I will agree that there is cause for concern, there is no way you can prove that making provisions for them is in any way economically feasible. There are a greater percentage of educated young people who would do well with just a tad bit of your attention.
Often there is talk of the need for entrepreneurial exploits, but is there really a platform for such? We can't all be our own bosses. Can Jamaica bear the weight of one more educated remaining idle? Can the Students' Loan Bureau continue its operation with such looming demise? Can young people continue to cope under such strenuous circumstances? There is no way this can continue.
In desperation, I appeal to those in the capacity to make a change, please do. I have witnessed too many university graduates resort to being illegal immigrants in the US or Canada. This cannot be the future we fought so hard to attain.
Jodi-Ann Blake
jodiann.blake@ymail.com
Is it worth being educated in Jamaica?
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Is it really worth being educated in Jamaica? This is a concern that has been since Jamaica was. The agonising cries of university graduates are unfading, as they are unable to secure employment. It hurts even more to know that the reason behind this is not a lack of qualifications, but a grave lack of opportunity.
How can an individual with a bachelor's degree be offered jobs for literally $190 and $210 per hour gross? That is absurd!
Too many university graduates are having the same complaint. The job opportunities that would utilise your qualifications are tagged with the constant three to five years of related experience. That too is simply incongruous. I left high school and went on to university, how does one attain years of experience outside of theoretical exposure within that time?
Employers evidently take advantage of the large job market and are therefore at liberty to ask whatever insuperable requirements for even mediocre-paying jobs. Additionally, some of these jobs subject the individual to heavy workloads laced with unreasonable targets.
Recently, the education minister had a brewing concern about the number of individuals leaving secondary schools without basic qualifications. Minister, it is high time you stop "majoring on the minor". Whilst I will agree that there is cause for concern, there is no way you can prove that making provisions for them is in any way economically feasible. There are a greater percentage of educated young people who would do well with just a tad bit of your attention.
Often there is talk of the need for entrepreneurial exploits, but is there really a platform for such? We can't all be our own bosses. Can Jamaica bear the weight of one more educated remaining idle? Can the Students' Loan Bureau continue its operation with such looming demise? Can young people continue to cope under such strenuous circumstances? There is no way this can continue.
In desperation, I appeal to those in the capacity to make a change, please do. I have witnessed too many university graduates resort to being illegal immigrants in the US or Canada. This cannot be the future we fought so hard to attain.
Jodi-Ann Blake
jodiann.blake@ymail.com
Is it worth being educated in Jamaica?
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