Taming the youth bulge in africa: Rethinking the world bank's policy on technical and vocational education for disadvantaged youth in the knowledge economy

Resource type
Journal Article
Author/contributor
Title
Taming the youth bulge in africa: Rethinking the world bank's policy on technical and vocational education for disadvantaged youth in the knowledge economy
Abstract
This study presents an innovative approach to Information and communication technology (ICT) skill training and employment generation for out-of-school and disadvantaged youths in Africa. With technical and policy assistance from the World Bank, ICTs can be used to revitalize technical and vocational training to meet skill and employment needs of disadvantaged youths in the region. The deplorable conditions of out-ofschool youth and the state of secondary education in Africa underscore the urgency to engage disadvantaged youth in productive economic activities. An ICT-enhanced technical and vocational training program in Africa provides both private and social gains: it provides economic prospects for disadvantaged youth and; it adds to the development of the knowledge economy in Africa. The NairoBits Digital Design School in Kenya is presented as a model of a vocational and training school that uses ICTs to improve skill formation among disadvantaged youths in informal settlements in urban Africa. Meeting the objectives of an ICTbased training and employment generation program for underprivileged youth in Africa require strong regulatory frameworks and contributions from the World Bank. The involvement of the bank, particularly through private sector grants for ICT skill train in Africa will help to revitalize technical and vocational education and training in the region. Above all, the collaboration of government agencies, private businesses, other international development agencies and civil society groups in ICT skill training will help to meaningfully engage African youths in the development of their communities in the emerging knowledge economy. © 2012 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Publication
International Perspectives on Education and Society
Date
2012
Language
en
Loc. in Archive
LOCAL-SCOPUS_ID:84887218022
Citation
Evoh, C. J. (2012). Taming the youth bulge in africa: Rethinking the world bank’s policy on technical and vocational education for disadvantaged youth in the knowledge economy. International Perspectives on Education and Society. https://doi.org/10.1108/s1479-3679(2012)0000016019