Observation

This question was not as popular as the other questions. On the average, the candidates who attempted it performed below average. In the part a, candidates were unable to point out the various ways both the government and non-governmental organization helps in empowering the youths. Another factor attributed to this low mark is that candidates had portrayed the meaning of youth empowerment to mean skill acquisition and thereby, they wrote about various skills and vocational trades that can be acquired.  In the part b, candidates were able to outline the social consequences of high rate of youth unemployment in the country and this made up for the low marks recorded in the part a. Expected answers the candidates could have given are:

(a)       

1. skill acquisition
2. cultivation of positive attitudes and values for self-reliance
3. acquisition of requisite knowledge/equipping youths with the right and relevant knowledge
4. enlightenment programmes
5. involvement in youth empowerment exchange programmes
6. participation in youth empowerment programme e.g SURE-P, YOU WIN, OYES, NDE etc.
7. enrolment in approved internship/apprenticeship programmes for self employment
8. accessing of soft loans, grants, financial assistance and other start up funds
9. focused employment of youths in government establishments
10. introduction of entrepreneurial and trade subjects/courses in schools

(b)      

1. Loss of self pride/respect/dignity/identity
2. Loss of self confidence
3. Engagement in crimese.g armed robbery, fraud, etc.
4. Unemployment encourages deviant tendencies
5. Laziness/idleness
6. Inability to shoulder financial responsibilities/poor parenting/over dependency on parents
7. Disruption of social peace/law and order
8. Waste of public fund in maintaining unemployed youths e.g. payment of social security allowance
9. Waste of resources on unemployed youths rehabilitation programmes e.g. drug addicts rehabilitation programmes
10. Broken homes/divorce/separation