Dear Editor,

I recently had the opportunity of being invited to a school’s career day. Having gone, I am somewhat disheartened as to what really happens on these days. It seems as if the day is more of a costume party than one where they are exposed to different professionals who can be a positive influence in their lives. Some of the students (and parents) grasp the concept of the importance behind the day; however, for the majority it seems just for the show.

It is not surprising that after the day has ended social media is flooded with pictures of the costume paraders with captions of “future doctor”, “future nurse”, etc. I do not have a problem with that. My problem lies in several other factors:

1. Many of these children, when asked, can’t even say what the career is or why they have an interest in it.

2. Children are being shunted into ‘profile careers’ because it is what the parents would want. Whether it is to compensate for parents’ own shortcomings, for the hype, or to be seen as ambitious, this ought not to be the case. Not everyone will or should become a doctor or lawyer or whatever the high-profile career may be. It would be great if they all had the opportunity and ability to do so; however, we have to be realistic and allow the children to find their own paths based on aptitude and interest. Besides, in a changing world, the days of the traditional careers are ending. Real wealth is a lot easier to find outside of law and medicine.

4. This school was in a predominantly farming community. Yet not one child ‘paraded’ as a farmer, much less to say he/she would be interested in farming. Not one successful farmer was invited to speak to the children. That is a disgrace. Agriculture and fishing needs to be viewed in a different light. It can no longer be a last resort or deemed to be a career for failures. These are the careers that involve primary production and will facilitate growth. They need to be highlighted, “sexied up”, and promoted. Show our children that farming is much more than the traditional machete-carrying, dirty farmer, and that wealth can be had with agriculture.

5. Like graduation exercises, we see parents spending heavily to parade for the day.Yet, for the rest of the year, school supplies and material needed to develop the children are hard to come by. Where are their priorities?

I again suggest that what is needed in our schools to shape the future is a structured mentorship programme.

No Brain

gusty_mol@yahoo.com