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.
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