Dear Editor,

The month of November is special for many university students in Jamaica, as they get to celebrate a momentous milestone in their academic journey at their respective graduation ceremonies.

The University of the West Indies recently concluded its series of graduation exercises across the islands, while Caribbean Maritime University and University of Technology, Jamaica hosted theirs later.

As these ceremonies coincide with Youth Month – this year’s theme being ‘Youth IMPACT 2024 — Innovative Minds, Purpose Action, Collective Triumphs’ – it is appropriate to celebrate the academic achievements of our young people.

Whilst this accomplishment is of great value – including for first-generation university graduates – the realities of life stand ready to stare them in the face — the work environment is competitive and salaries do not often match cost of living. This is why the Government and established systems must give young people a reason to dream. There ought to be some amount of tangible worth that comes with enduring the rigours of undergraduate and graduate studies.

Education has often been considered the avenue to move from poverty to prosperity for many Jamaicans; however, students need to feel as though the process is worth it. Nowadays, young people are exposed to quicker and more lucrative ways to enrich themselves financially – though many of these practices may not be ethically sound. In an effort to discourage illegal and immoral practices, the system should do more to ensure that students see the value in obtaining tertiary education, including a skill.

Young people also need to be assured that once they obtain a degree or a skills-based certificate their country will provide good-paying jobs for them to survive. It should not be the case that the educated and skilled labour force is forced to migrate because of lack of opportunities in their birth country.

There should also be opportunities and resources for young people to use their innovative minds to create jobs to respond to critical needs in the society and the world.

Youth Month should not only focus on the routine activities of hosting fora and taking pictures just to check them off the to-do list. Instead, there must be a deeper meaning to youth engagement.

Understandably, our political and business leaders cannot control everything, as there are global matters that also affect us. Nonetheless, they must think about the Jamaica that they are creating through policies, socio-economic development, infrastructure, security, etc.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com