Youth in focus at networking pitso
LINEO MALATALAIANA
MASERU – The European Union (EU), UNICEF and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) collaborated to host a Youth Dialogue and Networking Pitso in Maseru yesterday. The dialogue, a joint initiative by the EU, UNICEF and IOM, was held as part of the Youth Power Hub.
The hub aims to promote an inclusive, participatory, empowered and independent civil society that promotes a democratic space in Lesotho for the youth.
The focal point of the Pitso was to formulate solution driven strategies that speak to needs of the youth. Educational benefit has become a point of contention for the youth who have face continued unemployment.
Through the dialogue the youth sought to help the young people reimagine education as an employment and opportunity creating tool, rather than a tool to attain job.
“The future of education lies in the hands of young people,” Deepak Bhaskaran UNICEF Representative said as he emphasized the importance of the Networking Pitso.
In her address Head of the IOM, Masoai Dennis, assured the youth that they were being heard.
“In our organisation we believe in the value of listening of the youth,” Dennis said.
As part of the dialogue, a panel discussion was held to unfold the importance of restructuring education to evolve and adapt into the 21st century industry requirements.
One of the panelists spoke on the need for education that speaks to today’s market and technological needs.
“Are we equipped to use technology appropriately, no,” she asked a rhetoric questions to emphasis her reasoning to the need for education to match to today’s needs.
Another panelist, Lintle Monyake, from the Lesotho Girl Guides opined that though she is fresh out of high school she is grateful for the exposure to technology already.
“We are looking into putting children in schools on the same exposure level to technology through functional computer labs,” Monyake said. The young lady was aware of the magnitude of her organisation’s feat; however, she said “this will help to propel digital learning that will enable the youth to be at par with the world”.
Monyake also emphasized the importance of educating educators on how to use computers and modern technology so that they that too can teach students on a relevant platform to current requirements.
Refiloe Masaoana spoke on equity in education; speaking on the inclusion of girls. She said it is imperative that the mental and biological need of girls are met in schools, stating that they should be able to access sanitary towels so that they don’t skip school.
“Young women should be given opportunities to continue with their studies even when at home looking after their children,” she said.
Masaoana spoke on affording them with other modes of learning that would help them continue schooling regardless of their situation.
She emphasized that even people with disabilities should not be left behind noting the education system has to put them at par with their able bodied counterparts. She also spoke on the importance of change in laws and policies that govern education.
“Education cannot be seen in isolation, we need to also look at challenges to achieve our goals,” European Union Ambassador Paula Amadei said.
Amadei spoke on programmes that EU is spearheading to ensure that the youth have access to quality education.
One such programme is the Erasmus+ scholarship programme which affords Basotho youth the opportunity to access education in the diaspora with potential to expose the country to global skills sets.
Youth minister, Pitso Lesaoana, indicated that the ministry has been working tirelessly to ensure that the youth get access to education.
“There is a perception that the school dropout rate due to poverty is high, but that is not true. It is currently at 3.8 percent,” Lesaoana said.
“This is evident to the efforts that the ministry is making to ensure that children are kept in school.”
Discussions in the Networking Pitso also touched on the inclusion of the youth in decision making and policy advising to ensure that their needs in the education and employment front are met.
