Poverty: Parents now enrol children into skills trade

Gone are the days when parents imagined their children working in a sophisticated office, with a car, a well-furnished apartment, and a fat salary.

The present state of the economy has marred that ancient dream, forcing parents to face realities.

Affording quality education now is like acquiring gold, due to the continuous increase in the cost of living.

To prepare their children for the inevitable and unforeseen parading for employment after graduation, which is almost the norm today, many parents are now enrolling their wards in skills trade, Economy & Lifestyle discovered.

Children, from age 10 upwards, are seen in various artisans shops with an aim of acquiring a skill, following graduation from school.

Some of these children are enrolled upon finishing primary schools, especially during secondary education (they go for skills training after classes) with the aim of empowering them, as a result of low income of their parents, coupled with high cost of living.
Mr. Lawal Folorunsho, a bricklayer, said he has two helpers, who are currently training under him.

“I am a bricklayer. I have two boys who are training with me. Both of them are between ages 13 and 15.
“When their parents brought them to me, I asked why they were not in school.

“One of the parents gave high cost of living and low income as reasons coupled with taking care of his four siblings.
“The other said he doesn’t have money to waste on education whereby after graduation the child will be roaming the streets in search of a job.

“Instead, he should spend his time learning a trade and this was his son’s choice when asked what trade he would like to learn.”
Mrs. Hope Patrick, a trader, said: “My two younger siblings had to learn a trade after graduation from higher institution.
“They waited for two years with no job.

“One enrolled for aluminum window and door frame making and the other learnt PoP making job.
“Nothing is smiling in this country of ours. People are suffering and the system is failing us.

“My two kids, aged 12 and 16, I enrolled in a catering school and the other in digital web designing and development.
“They attend during the weekends after school.

“The experiences of my siblings have taught me a great lesson.

“I don’t have money to waste for higher education.
“With this, they can survive.”

Mr. James Olaniyi, a bus driver, envied his educated mates and vowed to send his kids to school.
“But the way the country’s economy is, nothing is working.

“Recently, I had to enroll two of my kids in a trade so that they can survive in future.

“Even those who spent years going to school now end up learning a trade.

“Look at those Point of Sale agents, many are graduates but with no job.

“Even my conductor is a graduate with no job.

“If you want to give your children the best education, where is the money?”

Mrs. Edith Lawrence, a fashion designer, and widow said: “I am the only one taking care of my children since their father’s death.
“I am a graduate but since I couldn’t get a job, I learnt the fashion design trade.

“It is the money from this job that I used to pay rent, school fees and feed myself and three children.
“Recently, I had my first son learn a trade in a pharmaceutical store.

“My second child is in Primary 6 and she loves making hair. I will enroll her in an hair making trade when she finishes her Primary education.

“I won’t make the mistake I made learning a trade after higher education. It is frustrating because you don’t have anyone to support you by then.”