tag:theconversation.com,2011:/us/topics/youth-dividend-63371/articlesYouth dividend – The Conversation2021-05-04T14:16:02Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1592882021-05-04T14:16:02Z2021-05-04T14:16:02ZHow COVID-19 is likely to slow down a decade of youth development in Africa<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/398392/original/file-20210503-15-cv964h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Unemployed Liberian young men seeking daily jobs at the industrial district of Bushrod Island, Monrovia, Liberia.
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">EFE-EPA/Ahmed Jallanzo</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>World Youth SkillsUntil COVID-19 hit, the quality of life of youth (age 15-24) in sub-Saharan Africa had been steadily improving. According to the <a href="https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators">World Bank</a>, by 2019 the youth literacy rate stood at 73%. Gross secondary school enrolment rates increased from 13 % in 1971 to 43 % by 2018. Youth unemployment rates have remained fairly stable, at around 9%, even below the world average of 13.6%.</p>
<p>Across sub-Saharan Africa, extreme poverty among young workers declined from 60% in 1999 to 42% in 2019. Moreover, the youth literacy <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.FM.ZS">gender parity index</a>, measuring the ratio of females to males ages 15-24 who can both read and write, has improved significantly, reaching 93% in 2019. And for this first time, the unemployment rate of young women are similar to that of young men (9.4%). </p>
<p>As an economist interested in entrepreneurship and technological innovation, I recently contributed to UN’s <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-youth-report/wyr2020.html">2020 World Youth Report</a>. In particular, chapter 4 of the report concerns how the youth can leverage new digital technologies for social entrepreneurship to advance sustainable development. Though written before the COVID-19 pandemic, the message may have become even more urgent. This, because COVID-19 may slow down or even reverse the positive trends in youth development noted. </p>
<p>There are fears that the pandemic will result in a <a href="https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/documents/briefingnote/wcms_745963.pdf">lockdown generation</a>, characterised by structurally higher youth poverty and unemployment.</p>
<p>Lockdowns, by slowing down the spread of the disease, generate <a href="https://www.minneapolisfed.org/research/staff-reports/health-versus-wealth-on-the-distributional-effects-of-controlling-a-pandemic">benefits</a> that “accrue disproportionately to older households”. But, the <a href="https://www.minneapolisfed.org/research/staff-reports/health-versus-wealth-on-the-distributional-effects-of-controlling-a-pandemic">costs</a> of reduced economic activity are disproportionately born by younger households. They bear the “brunt of lower employment”.</p>
<h2>Reinforcing inequalities</h2>
<p>Younger people, especially young women, are more intensively employed in sectors such as hospitality and entertainment. About 80% of youth jobs in sub-Saharan Africa are in the <a href="https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2014/01/africas-youth-employment-challenge-addressed-by-new-un-report/">informal sector</a>. These sectors – hospitality, entertainment and informal - have been among the worst affected.</p>
<p>Lockdowns also interrupt schooling and education. In one <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/education/publication/simulating-potential-impacts-of-covid-19-school-closures-learning-outcomes-a-set-of-global-estimates">calculation</a>, this could generate global future “learning losses with a present value of $10 trillion”.</p>
<p>The closure of schools will reinforce social and economic inequalities and exclusion. Youth from more well-off households may be less affected, for instance in having access to private internet and laptops. </p>
<p>While these impacts are troubling everywhere, in Africa they are magnified due to the high rate (21%) of youths who were already not in employment, education or training before the pandemic struck. The <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal8">8th sustainable development goal</a> requires of all countries that, by 2020, they substantially reduce this rate.</p>
<p>Given the complications introduced by the pandemic, how can this development goal be best achieved?</p>
<h2>Youth entrepreneurship</h2>
<p>With formal employment growth sluggish at the best, countries are pinning their hopes on <a href="https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economic-issues-watch/startups-boom-united-states-during-covid-19">entrepreneurship</a>. But, entrepreneurship support policy remains a notoriously <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11187-016-9712-2">complex</a> topic. This is especially true when it comes to young people. </p>
<p>Younger entrepreneurs are on average more likely to fail, and older entrepreneurs’ firms on average perform <a href="https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aeri.20180582">better</a>. This is often due to market failures. Banks do not have information about the quality of younger entrepreneurs (who often lack collateral). In education, meanwhile, the market will under-supply in the absence of subsidies.</p>
<p>Where these market failures are prevalent, the youth may fail to obtain finance for their ventures or accumulate enough skills. Supporting youth entrepreneurship would, therefore, require not policies to focus exclusively on entrepreneurship <em>per se</em>, but to fix market failures elsewhere in the system. </p>
<p>The benefits of catalysing youth entrepreneurship could be huge in Africa. With the world’s <a href="https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/may-2013/africa%E2%80%99s-youth-%22ticking-time-bomb%22-or-opportunity">youngest</a> population at a time of unprecedented innovations in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Platform-Crowd-Harnessing-Digital/dp/1543615791">digital technologies</a> across the world, the African continent has a unique opportunity. It has two key advantages: digital savvy and a willingness to take risks. </p>
<p>Young people may have a <a href="https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_737648.pdf">comparative</a> advantage in adopting and using new digital technologies. Moreover, many African countries have not only <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/francoisbotha/2019/04/02/why-africa-has-the-ability-to-leapfrog-the-rest-of-the-world-with-innovation/?sh=4b9e470a5ece">leapfrogged</a> in the adoption of mobile communication tech, but have been experiencing an <a href="https://theconversation.com/african-countries-cant-industrialise-yes-they-can-125516">upsurge</a> in tech entrepreneurship. </p>
<p>There is a deep underlying entrepreneurial reservoir in Africa. As much as 80% of youth labour market participation is in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919216303876">household enterprises</a> or as self-employed activities; only 20% in standard wage employment. </p>
<h2>Digital entrepreneurial ecosystems</h2>
<p>Youthfulness itself should not be a serious liability for entrepreneurship anymore. </p>
<p>Given the scarcity of resources on the continent, turning potential into reality and best addressing the market failures mentioned will require countries to prioritise investment in, and regulation of, their <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11187-017-9867-5">digital entrepreneurial ecosystems</a>. </p>
<p>It will require redoubling efforts to expand access to new digital technology and infrastructure, including the data needed on which to build new products and services. It will also require investing in information and communications technology skills – fixing market failures in provision of public goods and education. </p>
<p>Increasing digital absorption in this way will pay good dividends. As I argued in chapter 4 of the UN’s <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-youth-report/wyr2020.html">2020 World Youth Report</a>: consider for instance, that countries that do better to absorb digital technologies also tend to have a lower share of youths not in employment, education or training.</p>
<p>The direction of causality between digital adoption and utilisation of the youth is likely bi-directional. Better adoption of digital technologies is likely to engage the youth in either learning, education or employment. Better engagement of the youth is likely to lead to faster adoption of digital technologies – propelling a virtuous cycle. </p>
<p>With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to halt a decade of progress in youth development in Africa, at a minimum a three-pronged approach is now urgent. This entails bridging the digital divide; investing more in youth education in information and communications technology and science, engineering and mathematics fields. It also requires building digital entrepreneurial ecosystems.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/159288/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Wim Naudé does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Since 1999, extreme poverty has declined while rates of young people in education and employment have risen. Without investment though, the impact of the pandemic could see this progress imperilled,Wim Naudé, Professor of Economics, University College CorkLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1203582019-07-17T07:22:58Z2019-07-17T07:22:58ZSouth Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284076/original/file-20190715-173366-1so2kwj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">South Africans with jobs fear that automation could make them redundant.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Powerful new technologies are emerging that will continue to affect individuals in multiple ways. This has led to references to a <a href="https://www.weforum.org/about/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-by-klaus-schwab">Fourth Industrial Revolution</a> – a new era involving the application of digitisation and automation to different areas of society and everyday life. This revolution is one that presents distinct opportunity. But it also presents major risk and human costs. </p>
<p>These changes have become a growing point of discussion in most countries in the world. In South Africa the debate has drawn in policymakers, business and unions. But the voices of average South Africans have been missing from the debate. A <a href="http://www.hsrc.ac.za/en/departments/sasas">survey</a> completed earlier this year by the Human Sciences Research Council contributes to addressing this gap. </p>
<p>Consisting of 2,736 respondents older than 15, the results suggest the public recognises the promise – and the pitfalls – of this technological turn. Most people have a moderately positive view of digital technologies, but they are sceptical about the impact it will have on the labour market.</p>
<p>Those who took part in the survey appeared cautiously optimistic when asked about the potential impact of recent computer and internet technologies on the economy, society, and personal quality of life. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=275&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=275&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=275&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=346&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=346&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284059/original/file-20190715-173360-wo5mqp.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=346&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Figure 1: Envisaged impact of new technological developments (promise vs. reservation, %)</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">HSRC SASAS 2018/19 4IR module</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Around half – 48% - 52% – believed that the advances would be beneficial economically, societally and personally. A fifth expressed reservations, with the employed specifically concerned about job losses. They tended to acknowledge that automation would have a bearing on the workplace. A sizeable majority were concerned that it will affect them.</p>
<p>Public opinion remains critical from a policy and accountability perspective, as the priorities deemed important by citizens should be used to inform government’s agenda. Concerns about possible job loss due to technological change need to be considered in developing social protection and other measures to minimise the negative effects. Ignoring peoples’ voices could have far-reaching political consequences. </p>
<h2>The threat</h2>
<p>Three-quarters (73%) of South Africans believed that in the next decade machines or computer programmes would assume many of the jobs presently done by humans. In addition, six in 10 workers (62%) were very or quite worried that such automation will threaten their job security. </p>
<p>Compared to the UK, South Africans exhibited almost equivalent views on the likelihood of automation impacting on the labour market (73% versus 75%). But local workers demonstrated vastly higher levels of worry about the personal job impact of automation than is evident among British workers (62% vs. 10%).</p>
<p>To gauge how culturally accepting South Africans are of technological change, respondents were asked to rate how comfortable they felt with four situations involving the use of robots: </p>
<p>(i) a medical operation performed by a robot; </p>
<p>(ii) factories where workers are replaced by robots; </p>
<p>(iii) receiving goods delivered by drone or robot; and </p>
<p>(iv) being driven in a driverless car or taxi in traffic. </p>
<p>They provided scores using a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 means ‘totally uncomfortable’ and 10 ‘totally comfortable’ (Fig. 2). </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=312&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=312&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=312&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=393&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=393&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284060/original/file-20190715-173366-15rkdyu.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=393&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Figure 2: Cultural acceptance of use of robots (%)</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">HSRC SASAS 2018/19 4IR module</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On average, respondents weren’t particularly accepting of any of these four scenarios. Only 14-18% expressed comfort, 19-23% would be moderately comfortable, while 59-67% were uncomfortable with such propositions. </p>
<h2>Government’s capability</h2>
<p>We also set out to establish how confident people were in the government’s ability to intervene successfully to minimise adverse affects on the labour market.</p>
<p>Little more than a third (37%) were very or fairly confident that government could effectively put in place strategies to ensure that new technologies do not result in job losses, while 57% were doubtful (Fig 3). Poorer South Africans expressed greater scepticism than better off South Africans. While the survey results didn’t address the role to be played by other role-players (especially market actors), it nonetheless provided a sense of views on state policy to address any adverse labour impact that automation might produce. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=289&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=289&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=289&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284058/original/file-20190715-173351-1epgspq.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Figure 3: Perceived ability of government to avert job losses brought on by new technologies, by poverty status (%)</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">HSRC SASAS 2018/19 4IR module</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>What next?</h2>
<p>The analysis suggests that, generally, there’s more optimism than circumspection about the impact of the newest digital technologies on society and peoples’ general well being. But, there’s recognition that automation will affect the labour market and there are deep concerns exist over the threat this poses to jobs. There is also broad discomfort with robots performing a range of tasks. This points to quite low levels of cultural acceptance of the application of robots.</p>
<p>If technological change creates further labour market inequality and sustained reductions in human employment, then carefully planned social and labour market policies will be required to address low pay, precarious employment, and expanded, long-term unemployment. </p>
<p>At this stage, the public is fairly pessimistic about the ability of government to minimise the human costs of the fourth industrial revolution. Ongoing dialogue between various sectors, such as at the recent inaugural Fourth Industrial Revolution SA Digital Economy <a href="https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-addresses-inaugural-4th-industrial-revolution-sa-digital-economy">Summit</a> in South Africa, are needed to promote new insights and develop responses. There should also be campaigns to inform the public about technological change and the planned response for the country.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/120358/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Benjamin Roberts receives funding from various government departments and non-government agencies for the annual fielding of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS). </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jare Struwig receives funding from various government departments as well as non-government agencies for the annual fielding for the South African Social Attitude Survey. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Narnia Bohler-Muller receives funding from numerous funders (government, international donors) for HSRC research projects. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Steven Gordon receives funding various government department and non-government agencies for the annual fielding of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS).</span></em></p>The governments needs to adjust its agenda to take on board concerns voiced by citizens about the impact of technological changes.Benjamin Roberts, Chief Research Specialist and Coordinator of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), Human Sciences Research CouncilJare Struwig, Chief Research Manager, Human Sciences Research CouncilNarnia Bohler-Muller, Executive Director of the Democracy, Governance and Service Delivery Programme at the Human Sciences Research Council and Adjunct professor of law, University of Fort HareSteven Gordon, Senior research specialist, Human Sciences Research CouncilLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1195422019-07-02T14:33:06Z2019-07-02T14:33:06ZLack of youth services undercuts the gains of South Africa’s child grant<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/281753/original/file-20190628-94684-4nq0iy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">South Africa's child support grant helps fight poverty among children up to the age of 18.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Kim Ludbrook/EFE-EPA</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>South Africa introduced a child support grant 21 years ago in 1998, four years after the advent of democracy. The grant has been a human rights milestone and a mark of progress in the full realisation of children’s rights.</p>
<p>It is one of the most comprehensive social protection systems in the developing world, reaching <a href="http://www.sassa.gov.za/index.php/statistical-reports">over 12 million children a month</a>. It has evolved over the years to include children up to 18 years old. But, what happens to those over 18 who have “graduated” from receiving the child support grant. We term these young people post-child support grant beneficiaries. In our <a href="https://www.uj.ac.za/faculties/humanities/csda/Documents/Post%20CSG%20Report%20FINAL.pdf">study</a> we wanted to know what the longer-term outcomes for them are.</p>
<p>While the monthly child support grant of R420 (US$29,65) a child has <a href="http://www.econ3x3.org/article/do-poor-children-really-benefit-child-support-grant">several positive effects during childhood</a>, especially on nutritional status, the study found that these effects don’t thread through into early adulthood. This is likely because of failures of other human capital investments in the childhood years.</p>
<p>The grant, as a policy instrument, cannot work alone in ensuring that young people thrive and succeed. While it is a critical investment and has contributed to alleviating the effects of childhood poverty, more is needed to realise the <a href="http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/OP001/OP0012017.pdf">“demographic dividend”</a> -– a time of economic productivity realised as a result of a large young population – provided that population is healthy and well educated. </p>
<p>South Africa is essentially a hostile place for youth, particularly those from poor households, due to high <a href="http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=12121">youth unemployment</a>, <a href="http://www.ci.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/367/Child_Gauge/South_African_Child_Gauge_2015/Child_Gauge_2015-Post-schooling.pdf">inaccessible, unaffordable</a> post-secondary education and sustained <a href="http://opensaldru.uct.ac.za/handle/11090/818">multidimensional poverty</a>. Long-standing inequalities on the basis of race, gender and geographic location also persist. So it is not realistic to expect young people to fully support themselves once they turn 18.</p>
<p>Currently, the lack of support services to complement the child support grant undermines the childhood gains of the grant, and keeps young people stuck in poverty.</p>
<h2>Structural problems</h2>
<p>In particular, the structural features of the education system and labour market undermine the positive effects of the child support grant.</p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.uj.ac.za/faculties/humanities/csda/Documents/Post%20CSG%20Report%20FINAL.pdf">research</a> was framed by two questions: What effect does the child support grant have on education, health and employment outcomes later in life? And what factors in the life course of an individual shape these outcomes?</p>
<p>The longitudinal research uses the <a href="http://www.nids.uct.ac.za/about/what-is-nids">National Income Dynamics Study</a> to trace young people over nine years. We identified a sample of 1100 young people aged between 21 and 22 years in 2017. These young people would have been eligible to receive the grant in 2008. We have data for them every two to three years between 2008 and 2017. Using this data we sought to understand demographic or life-course factors that would explain later health, education and employment outcomes. </p>
<p>The study showed that the post-child support grant beneficiaries were no more likely to report better health, be employed or have completed high school, than their counterparts who did not receive the grant (but were eligible).</p>
<p>The structural features of the education system and <a href="http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=12121">labour market</a> continue to undermine the potential for young people from poor backgrounds to succeed. As children, these young people would most likely have attended low-income schools, which typically generate <a href="http://webcms.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/367/South%20African%20Child%20Gauge%202018%20-%20Nov%2020.pdf">poor quality education outcomes</a>. This means that they leave the schooling system without the literacy and numeracy skills required for entry-level positions in the labour market. Combined with this is <a href="https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-02-14-why-is-south-africas-unemployment-rate-so-high/">low job growth</a> and the fact that the sectors of growth in South Africa’s labour market require <a href="http://www.lmip.org.za/sites/default/files/documentfiles/HSRC%20LMIP%20WP1%20Educational%20skills%20and%20mismatches%20WEB_0.pdf">higher skills levels</a>. </p>
<p>In spite of the grant and its important contribution to early childhood development, there won’t be gains seen in education, employment or health if the deeper problems in education and the labour market are not resolved.</p>
<p>Further, our data shows that traumatic events, such as the death of a family member or unemployment in the household, negatively impact on the attainment of better outcomes. These can affect a young person’s ability to perform well in exams and can lead to disruptions in care arrangements. This highlights the need for access to support services to mitigate the negative impacts of traumatic life events.</p>
<p>Interventions should target structural poverty, and also ensure that support services are available to complement cash transfers, like the child support grant.</p>
<h2>Support interventions</h2>
<p>Our study argues that, in addition to addressing the structural factors mentioned above, three support service interventions should complement the provision of the child support grant. These interventions should:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Target children who experience the death of a caregiver in the home, providing support at school and in accessing mental health services;</p></li>
<li><p>Invest in employment support. Our other <a href="https://www.uj.ac.za/faculties/humanities/csda/Documents/Siyakha%20Report%20June%202019%20Web%20LowRes.pdf">research</a> shows that this could support more effective transitions to jobs. </p></li>
<li><p>Ensure that child support grant beneficiaries are speedily identified when they are at risk of failing or repeating grades and given necessary support. Once beneficiaries complete high school, they should be automatically linked to services (such as the <a href="https://nsfasapplications.co.za/nsfas-south-africa-national-student-financial-aid-scheme/">National Student Financial Aid Scheme</a>) so they can pursue tertiary studies. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Child support grant beneficiaries are managed in two systems across two departments – the Social Development and Basic Education systems. This provides an opportunity to flag children who are at risk, provided these systems are linked. Partnerships between these government departments, as well as between schools themselves and local welfare and support services, are critical to ensuring holistic support to youth who struggle at school.</p>
<p>Realising the demographic dividend in South Africa relies on investments to alleviate the effects of childhood poverty but also, to develop human capital through quality education. The recommendations arising from this research need political will to be realised. </p>
<p>Human capital development should be prioritised for youth (through the education system). Further cash transfers, like the child support grant, can be bolstered by additional support services to ensure that children move with ease into young adulthood.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/119542/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lauren Graham receives funding from the National Research Foundation. Funding for this study was received through the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development (PSPPD). She is affiliated with the International Consortium for Social Development and the Human Development and Capabilities Association. </span></em></p>The child support grant, as a policy instrument, cannot work alone in ensuring that young people thrive and succeed.Lauren Graham, Associate professor at the Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, University of JohannesburgLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1081822019-01-23T14:35:24Z2019-01-23T14:35:24ZEducation quality and the youth skills gap are marring progress in Africa<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/248757/original/file-20181204-34154-pwp7wz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Education has a bearing on prospects for sustainable economic opportunities as it feeds the market.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The <em><a href="http://s.mo.ibrahim.foundation/u/2018/10/28235917/2018-IIAG-Press-Release.pdf">Ibrahim Index of African Governance</a></em> measures and monitors Africa’s governance performance. It produces an impartial picture of governance performance in every country on the continent. David E Kiwuwa, associate professor of international studies at the University of Nottingham, asked <strong>Mandipa Ndlovu</strong>, a Zimbabwean academic, researcher and 2017/18 Ibrahim Scholar to unpack some of the findings from the 2018 report.</p>
<p><strong>Where do you see progress in Africa in terms of good governance and leadership over the past decade?</strong></p>
<p>The Index defines governance as the provision of the political, social and economic goods and services that every citizen has the right to expect from their government. Governments have a responsibility to deliver these services to their citizens.</p>
<p>The 2018 Index shows that countries that have done well in overall governance have also seen improvements in transparency and accountability. These improvements fall under the broad category of “safety and rule of law”. Here, the continent is in a better position than it was five years ago. For this trend to continue national security needs to be reinforced.</p>
<p>The health measure has improved in 47 countries over the past ten years. Countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso have taken great strides. This is thanks to improvements in several areas like the provision of antiretroviral treatment, a drop in child mortality and better management of communicable diseases. Maternal mortality rates have also stabilised and immunisation has become more common.</p>
<p>In spite of this progress, Africans are not satisfied with their governments’ handling of basic health services.</p>
<p><strong>Where is progress slowest?</strong></p>
<p>Gender is one area of concern. The 2018 report notes that gender representation in leadership had the largest improvement over the last five years. However, the empowerment of women in general registered the biggest slowdown. Gender representation therefore, must not be conflated with gender empowerment.</p>
<p>The data also shows that policies and representation do not always translate into action. South Africa, for example, continues to face high rates of femicide and patriarchal ideals within its judicial structures. This is despite its liberal constitution.</p>
<p>While the country shows great improvements under “women’s political participation” and “representation of women in the judiciary” there is a decline in “women’s political empowerment”. Women are well represented in the country’s cabinet, for instance, but there’s been a marked deterioration in how empowered ordinary women feel to participate in politics.</p>
<p>Such disconnects are concerning.</p>
<p>However, countries like Rwanda must be commended for their deliberate inclusion of women in places of influence. Interventions like these are still too rare on the continent.</p>
<p>Also worrying is the lack of progress under “sustainable economic opportunity”, the worst performing measure. Almost half of the continent’s citizens (43.2%) live in a country that’s seen a decline of sustainable economic opportunities in the last 10 years.</p>
<p><strong>Why have African governments struggled to translate economic growth into improved sustainable economic opportunities for their citizens?</strong></p>
<p>Trends indicate that transparency and accountability are vital for sustainable economic opportunity in the long term. Greater accountability and transparency is needed on national expenditure, for example. Protectionist systems that allow for the abuse of power and inhibit the levelling out of socio-economic disparities must be exposed. Only then can these systems be reformed to open up more opportunities for all.</p>
<p>Increasing access to sustainable economic opportunities improves human development. This in turn allows for innovation in health, technology and other spaces that increase the overall functionality of good governance.</p>
<p><strong>What role can education play in improving governance?</strong></p>
<p>The gaps in African governance are twofold: socio-economic inclusion and education. It is important to focus on both areas to bring about overall improvement. Although improvements have been recorded in the sub-category of “participation” in the last 10 years, student and youth resistance movements belie the progress.</p>
<p>The rise of populist movements coupled with the lack of voter registration within the youth dividend must not be misconstrued as political apathy.</p>
<p>In South Africa for example – where the 2018 index was launched – there is a critical skills gap that has not been adequately addressed. The quality of education in South Africa is worrying.</p>
<p>Also in South Africa, as well as the rest of the continent, youth enrolment in schools is improving. But “education quality”, “satisfaction with education provision”, and “alignment of education with market needs” are persistent causes for concern.</p>
<p>Education has a great bearing on sustainable economic opportunities because skilled workers feed the market. Africa is currently experiencing a skills gap deficit. With 27 countries registering deteriorating education scores in the last five years there is a further decline to already fragile sustainable economic opportunities.</p>
<p><em>The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/108182/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>David E Kiwuwa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The gaps in African government are twofold: governance and education. It is important to focus on both areas to bring about overall improvements.David E Kiwuwa, Associate Professor of International Studies, University of NottinghamLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.