Z’bar to reform curriculum in schools

ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar

IN a move aimed to tackle the labour crisis, Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein has directed the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to reform the curriculum in secondary schools by introducing entrepreneurship as a subject.

In a speech at a two-day ‘Zanzibar Youth Entrepreneurship Forum (ZYEF)’, Dr Shein said the best way to fight unemployment is by changing the mindset of youth by encouraging them to resort to self-employment through entrepreneurship “because it is where the future lies.”

“The government remains committed to supporting youth from secondary schools by introducing entrepreneurship subject so that they are sure of job opportunities after graduation.

The young people must be innovative, creative and hardworking to enjoy their future,” he said. He said if youth in schools are prepared to become entrepreneurs, it would minimize unemployment and "our plan to improve vocational training centres and ‘business incubator centres are other government initiatives to support young people learn different skills related to entrepreneurship.

" He told the gathering at the forum held at the former House of Representatives building here that the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) Youth employment Policy (2014-2018) and the launch of empowerment fund are other government strategies to help youth.

Dr Shein urged youth to no longer wait for government employment as there aren’t enough vacancies for all the graduates.The government, he said, can only provide about 2,500 jobs annually.

“The Empowerment Fund has been doing well and many youth have benefited. Since the launch of the 1.4bn/- fund in July 2014, more than 991m/- was refunded by this year. Come-up with workable ideas and get loans,” the President said.

He condemned some politicians who mislead the youth by telling them lies that when they become leaders they would provide them with government jobs. “I think the youth have now learned that some politicians do not tell them the truth because unemployment is a global challenge,” Dr Shein said.

The minister responsible for empowerment and youth, Maudline Cyrus Castico, said the forum was among her ministry’s commitment to help young people overcome unemployment.

The forum was organized by the government with support from VSO, DTB, Shell, Milele Foundation and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, among other insitutions.