Education and Youth employment in Sub-Sahara Africa: linkages and policy responses
Young people in Africa find it increasingly difficult to transition into employment. Governments acknowledge the challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment and are looking for appropriate interventions. Investment in education is one of the main policy tools for addressing poverty and promoting economic growth. However, African countries grapple with a range of challenges. Many are…
read more >>Leveraging Services for Employment, Growth and Equity – Access to Essential Services: The Global Context for Education, Health, Water and Sanitation
As the Millennium Development Compact argues, the first cluster of policies required for countries to break out of poverty traps involve investing in health and education. These investments contribute to growth and human development. Moreover, education, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation complement each other, with investments in any one contributing to better outcomes in…
read more >>Leveraging Services for Employment, Growth and Equity: Access to Essential Services in Education and Health. Synthesis Paper
A key impediment to growth in South Africa is the relative shortage of high-quality human capital, manifested as part of the unequal distribution of assets in the country. International evidence shows that an unequal distribution of assets, especially of human capital, hampers overall growth and disproportionately affects the income growth of the poor. Attaining optimal…
read more >>Creating a learning culture in rural schools via educational satellite television broadcasts.
Globalisation is increasingly placing greater pressure on economies of countries to become competitive and to develop a higher levels of skills. In order to compete effectively on a global level, education and development must be based on a good foundation. Although formal education in South Africa is presently reaching the majority of children between the…
read more >>Human Resource Development and Growth: Improving Access and Equity in Education and Health Services
Pillay demonstrates the importance of improving access to and equity in the provision of essential services such as education and health for enhancing human development. A major constraint to accelerating and sustaining economic growth in South Africa is the shortage of skilled human resources. Human capital formation (through appropriate education, training and health) is vital…
read more >>Social Grant for Youth – some policy options: Framework On Social Security For Youth In South Africa
South African youth experience extremely high levels of unemployment and poverty. Currently there is no social assistance for low-income young adults, unless they are disabled. Interventions are needed that can achieve widespread poverty alleviation, as well as facilitate economic participation to improve lifelong earnings. Altman et al. consider six examples of social security policy options,…
read more >>The state of youth: Trends in education attainment
Sheppard provides an overview of the education attainment of the youth in South Africa. He focuses on the 18–24 and 25–35 age cohorts, but also briefly reviews trends in the participation of younger age groups in primary and secondary education, given the impact of their participation rate and education attainment on the youth. The paper…
read more >>The role of business in supporting youth transitions; Concept note developed for BUSA
Altman and Marock prepared this report for Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to support its engagements on youth unemployment. In particular, they reflect on the potential of the private sector to support the youth employment initiatives being implemented by government. The programmes reviewed include:· Skills development (linked to education and training) and/or internship programmes · Work readiness…
read more >>Youth population scenarios: Summary of Phase I theme papers
In 2009, the Department of Social Development commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council to produce theme papers on South Africa’s demographic transition, especially the implications of a growing youth population. A key requirement for any country to benefit from the demographic transition is to significantly broaden and deepen opportunities for young people to develop their…
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