Let me start with some self-disclosure. When I finished high school in Nyamninia Secondary School in Gem, Siaya county, I thought about two ways on how to be both active and productive.
The first thing I did was to volunteer as a teacher of English at Ulumbi Primary School. I was there shortly, but the small stipend I earned as a teacher on voluntary terms helped me put my act together as a Form 4 leaver.
Later, I matriculated into the university in Kikuyu to train as a teacher of English Language and Literature.
I will point out the second thing I did before I conclude.
After release of KCSE, Form 4 leavers start thinking about the next phase of life. In the recent past, Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service abolished application of courses in schools due to drastic changes in the new funding formula.
KUCCPS now is ripe to open the portal for online application of courses in line with the raft of guidelines spelt out — 18 options, which cascade to six degree options, four diploma options, four craft certificate options and four artisan certificate options.
Again, once Form 4 leavers get results, they do not join colleges on the spot. They stay at home for some months. The way they decide to use the free time, will either make or break them.
Instead of operating with absence of sense, they can become productive people in the society. How? They can start with offering voluntary services here and there. Form 4 leavers can start to search for work experience, which is requisite in job placement and employment.
Consequently, as they volunteer, they start making some small amount of money. Above all, the most important thing is the upskilling process. While working as a volunteer, there is a lot of self-discovery and recovery. Self-development and enhancement.
In addition, as Form 4 leavers prepare for the next level of education, they should know that they are ripe to join the world of work and provide semi-skilled labour. Some of them are now adults who can work and fend for families.
Actually, in 2023, there was Skills Need Survey that gelled this good idea. The in-depth research focused on 521 enterprises. It was a joint effort of the Federation of Kenya Employers, Nexford University and Africa Digital Media Institute.
The three organisations revealed that 12.1 per cent and 3.3 per cent of employers are going for workers with masters and doctoral degrees, respectively. Another 43 per cent of employers prefer to employ graduates. And 34 per cent of employers go for employees with diploma, craft and artisan certificates. Those with KCSE certificates follow suit at 23.4 per cent.
This does not mean that I am anathema to tertiary education. In fact, Form 4 leavers should know. People go to school to add chances and multiply opportunities in life. Advisedly, as they wait, they can enrol for short courses, which will provide jobs in post-haste or give them an edge while hunting for future jobs.
As a sage and a scribe, I can recommend short courses such as driving, catering, public speaking, online writing, photography, videography, cosmetology, basic computer packages, graphic design, website development, etcetera.
Moreover, Form 4 leavers wishing to be productive can start with the immediate environment. Instead of roaming around, surfing on social sites, or searching for trouble, they can assist in home chores and boost home-based businesses. Proverbs 20:29 says that the glory of young men is their strength, but the beauty of the old is the grey hair. Think of a perfect arrangement where a family business benefits from the winsome wisdom of parents, synergy and energy of children.
Lastly, Form 4 leavers who yearn to be productive should submit to apprenticeship and mentorship. They should scout for people in the society, who are doing things they would love to do in future. Work and walk with them closely.
This leads us to the second thing I promised to disclose.
In retrospect, after high school, I worked as an apprentice at Teens for Christ. We visited secondary schools in Gem to speak to students. During the stasis between high school and university, TFC directors also took me to college to pursue a diploma course in Theology.
Later, when I joined university, I continued with the same noble work of speaking and training. Interestingly, I still do it but on a broader basis, in around 42 counties. Conscience convinces my conviction that so long as I am still alive and kicking, I will do it beyond Kenyan borders. So, pantheon of sages were right: What we learn in the the cradle lasts to the tomb.
The writer guides students on career choices. [email protected]. 0704420232