Our education sector must be revamped

It is devastating to learn that the recurring theme in our education sector each year is the difficulties faced by our youth in accessing tertiary education. It is equally disturbing to see the lack of political will by the powers that be to address this worrying issue. How long are we prepared to sweep this issue under the carpet? Are we prepared to face the ramifications of denying our youth the right to education? What kind of society are we envisaging if we fail dismally to transform and value our education system? No youth must be denied to access higher education simply because he/she is financially constrained.

My concern in raising this problem is premised on the fact that we have the resources but our efforts and commitment are often found wanting. It is not a secret that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is diagnosed with the cancer of corruption and maladministration that has spread too far to be arrested. The sooner we find amicable solutions to the transformation of our education sector the better for our quest in building a just and equal society. We need committed people to provide an efficient political oversight of the education departments instead of the rhetoric that we are fed on a daily basis. Academics must provide a voice needed to change the status quo.