Independent Senator Frances Chandler believes the private sector and the Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have to help raise standards and reduce deviant behaviour among the youth.
Speaking in the Senate today on the Government’s national youth policy, Chandler made it clear that youth development couldn’t be left entirely to Government.
She called for the educational system to be overhauled if young people are to be prepared for work.
“I think, there is too much concentration on Maths and English, and little or no time for life skills to be taught in primary schools from the earliest possible time,” she said.
Chandler also questioned the merit of some university degree programmes.
“The tertiary education system needs to be directed at the needs of the country especially since we are having financial problems with supporting the university. I think, we need to be more targeted.“I don’t see why Government should be contributing to degrees that are useless to the country and in fact all that does, is lead to unemployed graduates,” she said.
Full reports from the Upper House in tomorrow’s DAILY NATION
