Challenges Facing Youths in Tertiary Institutions in Kenya
Many students in secondary schools envision joining tertiary institutions and work hard in their studies so as to achieve this dream. It is in the tertiary institutions that youths get to specialize in doing what they are passionate about. Tertiary institutions also give youths a space to grow socially, emotionally and even spiritually. Therefore, these institutions of higher learning i.e Universities, colleges and vocational training institutions are each youths dream as it is believed that from there you advance your career and get hard skills necessary in the job market, thus able to secure a job to earn yourself a living. However, being in a tertiary institution is not an easy Walk as there are so many challenges facing students in the institutions. These challenges include:
1. Financial challenges
Finances are a great challenge to a large number of youths in tertiary institutions as most depend on their parents. Most youths do not have an income of their own and thus rely on the little they get from parents or guardians to cater for all their needs which are many. School fees, food, accommodation , clothing, grooming, internet and many other wants can't be satisfied by the money the parents give thus most experience financial issues. Some even lack the basics as school fees and accommodation and end up dropping out of school. Due to financial constraints some youths engage in activities such as betting so as to get some extra cash to sustain them in school. This is however not a sustainable way of making money and it may eventually lead some into stress and depression when they lose the little they had to betting. Some opt to do some part time menial jobs to earn some money and even miss classes to attend the jobs denying the quality education.
2. Relationships
It is in the tertiary institutions that most youths start romantic relationships. Many youths feel they have the freedom to explore love and get into relationships but most lack proper guidance. Due to lack of guidance and exposure, many relationships do not last long and some breakups end in frustrations and even depression. Some result in unwanted pregnancies and at times dropping from school due to increased responsibilities and lack of enough funds.
3. Drugs and substance abuse
Due to the freedom and much free time youths enjoy in tertiary institutions, a big percentage begin to indulge in drug and substance abuse. Peer pressure is also a factor as to why some youths get influenced into starting drug abuse. Over indulgence in drugs automatically leads to addiction. Once one gets addicted they lose concentration in their studies and may end up dropping out of school. Drug addiction may also result in crimes such as stealing so as to get money for drugs and may also result into depression.
4. Lack or inadequate resources in schools
Most tertiary institutions have inadequate resources and infrastructure for efficient learning. Resources like lecture rooms, laboratories, computer rooms, libraries, internet connectivity, e_learning platforms, accommodation etc are inadequate in most public learning institutions. This makes it hard for all students to access these resources in the school forcing others to outsource them which is costly to students. This denies most students quality education. Many institutions even lack adequate classrooms to accommodate the students in the school denying some access to classes and thus poor performance from some.
In conclusion, youths in institutions of higher learning face many challenges which deny them the opportunity to quality education. The stakeholders in the education sector need to put more resources into the tertiary education to enable more youths access quality education. Better funding to students, Guidance and counseling sessions to the Youths and investing in equipping the institutions with quality facilities will go a long way in improving tertiary education and the status of the Youths in tertiary education.
1. Financial challenges
Finances are a great challenge to a large number of youths in tertiary institutions as most depend on their parents. Most youths do not have an income of their own and thus rely on the little they get from parents or guardians to cater for all their needs which are many. School fees, food, accommodation , clothing, grooming, internet and many other wants can't be satisfied by the money the parents give thus most experience financial issues. Some even lack the basics as school fees and accommodation and end up dropping out of school. Due to financial constraints some youths engage in activities such as betting so as to get some extra cash to sustain them in school. This is however not a sustainable way of making money and it may eventually lead some into stress and depression when they lose the little they had to betting. Some opt to do some part time menial jobs to earn some money and even miss classes to attend the jobs denying the quality education.
2. Relationships
It is in the tertiary institutions that most youths start romantic relationships. Many youths feel they have the freedom to explore love and get into relationships but most lack proper guidance. Due to lack of guidance and exposure, many relationships do not last long and some breakups end in frustrations and even depression. Some result in unwanted pregnancies and at times dropping from school due to increased responsibilities and lack of enough funds.
3. Drugs and substance abuse
Due to the freedom and much free time youths enjoy in tertiary institutions, a big percentage begin to indulge in drug and substance abuse. Peer pressure is also a factor as to why some youths get influenced into starting drug abuse. Over indulgence in drugs automatically leads to addiction. Once one gets addicted they lose concentration in their studies and may end up dropping out of school. Drug addiction may also result in crimes such as stealing so as to get money for drugs and may also result into depression.
4. Lack or inadequate resources in schools
Most tertiary institutions have inadequate resources and infrastructure for efficient learning. Resources like lecture rooms, laboratories, computer rooms, libraries, internet connectivity, e_learning platforms, accommodation etc are inadequate in most public learning institutions. This makes it hard for all students to access these resources in the school forcing others to outsource them which is costly to students. This denies most students quality education. Many institutions even lack adequate classrooms to accommodate the students in the school denying some access to classes and thus poor performance from some.
In conclusion, youths in institutions of higher learning face many challenges which deny them the opportunity to quality education. The stakeholders in the education sector need to put more resources into the tertiary education to enable more youths access quality education. Better funding to students, Guidance and counseling sessions to the Youths and investing in equipping the institutions with quality facilities will go a long way in improving tertiary education and the status of the Youths in tertiary education.
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