Failed or Self-Hindering Prophecies? Employment Experiences of African Graduates in the 1990s

Alexis-Michel Mugabushaka, Ulrich Teichler  & Harald Schomburg

Abstract

The 1980s brought about sweeping and far-reaching structural changes in many African countries, which greatly affected the higher education sector. Though, the task of training the professional and political elite had been achieved in the previ- ous decades, early reforms now faced new challenges. Concerns were raised that, without substantial new reforms, there may be a mismatch between higher educa- tion and the labor market, leading to massive unemployment among graduates, a tedious transition process from higher education to the labour market, and the un- deremployment of highly skilled laborers in low-skill jobs. This article uses survey data, conducted in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda to exam- ine the basis of such concerns.

The 1980s brought about sweeping and far-reaching structural changes in many African countries, which greatly affected the higher education sector. Though, the task of training the professional and political elite had been achieved in the previ- ous decades, early reforms now faced new challenges. Concerns were raised that, without substantial new reforms, there may be a mismatch between higher educa- tion and the labor market, leading to massive unemployment among graduates, a tedious transition process from higher education to the labour market, and the un- deremployment of highly skilled laborers in low-skill jobs. This article uses survey data, conducted in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda to exam- ine the basis of such concerns.

Failed or Self-Hindering Prophecies? Employment Experiences of African Graduates in the 1990s: Alexis-Michel Mugabushaka, Ulrich Teichler  & Harald Schomburg

L’Afrique a subi dans les années 80 des vastes et profonds changements structurels qui ont affecté entre autre le secteur de l’éducation supérieure. Les institutions de l’enseignement supérieur ayant accompli leur mission initiale de former une élite professionnelle et une génération de dirigeants, des nouveaux défis se faisaient sentir. Les observateurs remarquaient que sans de reformes majeurs, il pouvait y avoir un déséquilibre dans les relations entre l’éducation supérieur et le marché du travail, avec les risques du chômage pour les diplômes ainsi qu’une période transitoire (entre l’éducation supérieure au marché du travail) difficile et une sous-utilisitation des connaissances et compétences acquises. Cet article analyse les résultats d’une des enquêtes réalisées au Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzanie, et Uganda pour examiner les bases de ces inquiétudes.